Brothel owner Dennis Hof, who is running as a Republican for a seat in Nevada's state legislature, is being investigated by state authorities following sexual assault allegations.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety said Wednesday that it is investigating Hof following a request from a sheriff in northern Nevada, The Associated Press reported. The request was made by a sheriff in Carson City, where Hof owns several legal brothels, according to the AP.

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Hof told the outlet that he is cooperating with the investigation but added that he “totally denies that any such incident occurred.” He also told the AP that the accusations are politically motivated.

According to the outlet, Hof has been accused of sexual assault at his brothels at least three times since 2005.

Hof defeated Assemblyman James Oscarson (R) in the GOP primary in a rural district outside Las Vegas in June.

Hof has been considered highly likely to win the seat in November’s midterms, when he will face Democrat Lesia Romanov. President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE easily won the district over Hillary Clinton in 2016.

This is Hof’s second bid for public office, a bid he made after state officials proposed banning brothels in two of seven counties in which they are still legal.

Hof has previously argued for prostitution to be legalized, saying in July that it’s a “vice that’s not going away.”

The investigation was first reported by The Nevada Independent on Tuesday.