Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is facing allegations from former congressional staffer and ex-girlfriend Cynthia West, who claims he attempted to financially dissuade her from pursuing a workplace complaint tied to Rep. Victoria Spartz’s (R-IN) office, just days before Kentucky’s closely watched Republican primary.
West alleges that Massie offered her $5,000 to drop plans to file a wrongful termination complaint after she raised concerns about what she described as a toxic work environment in Spartz’s congressional office.
She also claims she was later presented with a proposed $60,000 settlement that included a nondisclosure agreement, which she refused to sign.
Massie denied the allegations in an X post on Wednesday.
“It’s sad that a week before this election people are making false and unsubstantiated allegations about me in an obvious attempt to influence the outcome of this election,” he wrote. “All of the claims of inappropriate conduct are false. I’ve never offered anyone money in exchange for their silence. I report all of my farm income, including cash, to the IRS.”
Massie also noted that no claims have ever been filed against him during his 14 years in office.
He referred further inquiries to Kentucky State Rep. Steven Doan, a political ally and attorney who has questioned West’s credibility and cited prior court filings involving a domestic violence petition she filed in Florida.
West has said she represented herself in that case without legal counsel.
West, who is currently running for a school board seat in Florida, worked in Spartz’s office between January and March 2024 and earned just over $17,000 during that time, according to Axios.
A spokesperson for Spartz’s office said West held a temporary 90-day probationary position and was not extended beyond that period due to “unsatisfactory job performance.”
West contends she was terminated after raising concerns about conditions inside the office and later initiating a formal complaint through the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.
She says Massie attempted to intervene privately after learning she intended to escalate her claims.
She also described a separate encounter in Kentucky at a Cracker Barrel restaurant, where she alleges Massie urged her not to pursue the matter further, telling her, “You’re just one person. You’re not going to make a difference. Just walk away.”
West has said her relationship with Massie began after he contacted her on X in August 2024, shortly after the death of his wife.
She said the relationship quickly became personal and that Massie encouraged her to move to Washington, D.C.
According to West, Massie later helped facilitate her employment in Spartz’s office so she could remain in Washington while they were together.
She alleges the relationship later deteriorated after she refused to engage in conduct she was uncomfortable with, which she described as emotionally abusive behavior.
West said she ended the relationship and later learned she had been terminated from her job via text message.
She also claims Massie previously provided her financial assistance during their relationship, including cash she later returned, and that he again referenced monetary support when she raised workplace concerns.
Massie is currently seeking reelection in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District while facing a Trump-backed challenger, Ed Gallrein, in a Republican primary scheduled for May 19.
The race has drawn national attention and significant outside spending amid broader divisions between Massie and Trump-aligned Republicans, according to the Washington Examiner.
Spartz’s office has said West’s employment ended after her probationary period due to performance issues and that the decision was unrelated to Massie.
West has denied coordinating with political opponents and says she came forward independently, framing her comments as part of broader concerns about transparency and accountability in congressional workplaces.
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