Jury hears opening statements in Fabian Basabe civil trial

MIAMI — Opening statements began Monday in the civil trial for South Florida lawmaker Fabian Basabe.

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Basabe is a Republican in the Florida state House of Representatives, but he is being sued by two former employees, a legislative aid and an intern.

Both men say they were victims of sexual harassment, battery and defamation at the hands of Basabe.

The lawsuit was first filed about three years ago but is now making its way in front of a jury.

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Basabe, who is up for re-election later this year, is actually representing himself during the trial, moving forward without a lawyer.

He has long denied the allegations, pointing to a pair of prior investigations brought on by the Florida House of Representatives to look into the claims, both of which were dismissed after findings of no wrongdoing.

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The victims have also sued the Florida House of Representatives.

A stream of a portion of Monday’s hearing can be seen below: