Ambassador Scott Brown admitted to telling attendees they were “beautiful” and “absolutely told people they could make great waitresses,” which he said he would also tell his two adult daughters. | Carolyn Kaster/AP Ambassador Scott Brown acknowledges State Dept. investigated him over 'insensitive' comments

Scott Brown, the U.S. ambassador to New Zealand, confirmed Wednesday that the State Department investigated him over “insensitive or inappropriate” comments he made during a July trip to Samoa.

Speaking to New Zealand media with his wife, former broadcast journalist Gail Huff, Brown addressed what he called the “innuendo and rumor” surrounding his inaugural visit to Samoa (Brown is also the U.S. ambassador to Samoa).


The former Massachusetts senator said State launched an official administration inquiry into comments he made during a party in Apia, Samoa’s capital, where Brown told guests that they looked “beautiful” and told a waitress she could make hundreds of dollars working in the hospitality industry in the United States. The couple said they had “no idea” people would take offense to their remarks.

Brown admitted to telling attendees they were “beautiful” and “absolutely told people they could make great waitresses,” which he said he would also tell his two adult daughters.

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“I was told by my people that you’re not Scott Brown from New Hampshire anymore. You’re an ambassador, and you have to be culturally aware of different cultures and sensitivities,” Brown said. “We are in a different culture: Even though we all speak English, sometimes when we say one thing it means the complete different thing.”

Brown said there was a receiving line outside the Peace Corps event, “and prior to walking they were all like dirty and grungy.” When they walked in, however, “everyone was dressed to the nines,” he said. “They all looked great. …. Gail and I both walked in and said: ‘You guys are beautiful. You look really handsome, sir. You guys are great.’ And apparently somebody took offense to that.”

According to The Guardian, two female Peace Corps members made the complaint, which Brown speculated may have been politically motivated.

“At this event, there were a lot of people that didn’t like [President Donald Trump],” Brown said. “Sadly, it’s politics, and it is what it is.”

Brown, an early Trump supporter, was the president’s first ambassadorial appointment after taking office, The Guardian said.