Fabian Basabe is a Republican state representative in Florida. A former reality TV cast member, he ran as someone who was against partisanship and for gay rights. However, LGBTQIA supporters felt betrayed when he voted to expand the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. It seemed hypocritical considering what is known about his life.
Nicolas Frevola, an aide who worked for him filed a complaint alleging that Basabe slapped him and made him stand in a corner at the party following DeSantis’ inauguration.
The aide told CBS News that Basabe had been drinking, there was some misunderstanding that “lead him to slap me in the face in front of other people in the room. He then told me to stand in the corner. I was so embarrassed that I did as he asked.” This happened in January, but Frevola did not talk about it until he was contacted because he signed an NDA when he started working for Basabe.
Frevola has his own problem with an allegation that he tried to run down someone with a car, though his car does not match the description.
Basabe denies all and says this is a partisan attack, from his own staff.
He has a history of altercations. He’s banned from the Bass Museum for calling a publicist a racial epithet.
Since then Frevola and an intern have alleged Basabe sexually harassed them. The intern said Basabe told him he was required to flirt with him and advised him to break up with his girlfriend and explore his sexuality. They have filed suit against Basabe.
An investigation by the State House concluded there was physical contact between Basabe and Frevola, but not necessarily a slap. They said it was inconclusive.
- CBS: State Rep. Basabe under investigation for allegedly slapping an aide
- CBS: State Rep. Fabian Basabe faces allegations of sexual harassment
- Page Six: Tabloid party boy to Florida pol, controversy follows Fabián Basabe
- Miami Herald: Two employees accuse Florida Rep. Fabian Basabe of sexual harassment in lawsuit
