Rep. Joe Barton warned woman not to release his nude photos over career concerns, report says

Eliza Collins | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Texas Rep. Joe Barton's online nude photo elicits apology After a nude photo of him began circulating on the internet this week, Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton, a Republican, apologized. Barton told the Texas Tribune, 'I am sorry I did not use better judgment during those days.'

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, apologized to his constituents Wednesday for a nude photo that has been circulating the internet, saying that he should have used “better judgment during those days.”

"While separated from my second wife, prior to the divorce, I had sexual relationships with other mature adult women," he said, according to The Texas Tribune. "Each was consensual. Those relationships have ended. I am sorry I did not use better judgment during those days. I am sorry that I let my constituents down."

Late Wednesday, The Washington Post reported that Barton threatened the woman to whom he'd sent sexually explicit photos, videos and messages, telling her he'd report her to the Capitol Police because she could expose his behavior.

Citing a secretly recorded 2015 phone conversation Barton allegedly had with the woman, The Post reported that he warned her against using the explicit materials “in a way that would negatively affect my career.”

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The woman said she and Barton had contact over five years after she posted a message on Barton’s Facebook page in 2011. That led to the sexually explicit exchanges and, ultimately, two physical sexual encounters in Washington and Texas, The Post reported.

The woman, who is not married, spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect her privacy. She said she eventually became aware of — and corresponded with — multiple other women who engaged in relationships with Barton, a senior Republican congressman who represents suburban Dallas.

In a statement late Wednesday, Barton said a transcript of the recording provided by The Post may be evidence of a "potential crime against me." He said Capitol Police were opening an inquiry.

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Federal law doesn't prohibit adults from disclosing intimate photos without consent, but the Dallas Morning News noted that the nude photo of Barton posted on Twitter could violate a 2015 Texas law banning “revenge porn,” distributing images of a person's body without consent. Violating the law is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.

Barton has been serving since 1985 and recently announced his plans to seek re-election.

According to the Tribune he is re-evaluating his decision to seek another term.

USA TODAY's attempts to reach Barton were unsuccessful.