austin texas/washington u.s. republican representative blake farenthold say would seek re-election november deny allegations sexual harassment former staffers admit allow unprofessional culture flourish capitol hill office 55-year-old congressman corpus christi texas make announcement thursday week house ethics committee say investigate allegations sexual harassment discrimination retaliation involve former female staff member committee say also look whether farenthold make inappropriate statements members staff videotape statement campaign facebook page farenthold say political novice unprepared new responsibilities come washington first term 2011 idea run congressional office result allow workplace culture take root office permissive decidedly unprofessional say politico report last week congressional office compliance pay 84,000 public fund behalf farenthold sexual harassment claim 2014 former communications director lauren greene file lawsuit accuse create hostile work environment gender discrimination retaliation court document show two reach confidential mediate agreement 2015 accord statement farenthold office deny wrongdoing reuters unable verify allegations farenthold say thursday charge false issue become political distraction say quite simply constituents deserve good house representatives speaker paul ryan call allegations disconcert include report outline unacceptable behaviors think make right decision retire ryan say congress review workplace policies sexual harassment number lawmakers accuse sexual misconduct recent weeks amid wave allegations powerful men entertainment politics media last week democratic representative john conyers republican representative trent frank resign democratic senator al franken say would step come weeks republican representative farenthold seek re-election