November 2, 2021 at 5:58 AM
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The estranged wife of Sean Parnell, the Republican endorsed by former President Donald Trump for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, says he tried to choke her. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Laurie Parnell’s testimony under oath Monday came during proceedings in Butler County court over the custody of their three children. Laurie Parnell testified that, at one point, her husband choked her until she bit him to get free and described years of rage and abuse she endured. In a statement released by his campaign, Sean Parnell says he’s never “raised a hand in anger” toward his wife or their children. He’s supposed to testify next week.
Parnell released a statement that was emailed to Beaver County Radio by Parnell’s Campaign about the allegations. You can read the statement below:
Sean Parnell Statement On False Allegations Made During Custody Hearing
Ohio Township, PA – Sean Parnell tonight released the following statement in response to a series of unequivocally false statements made today during a custody hearing involving Parnell’s three young children:
“Today was a sad day for my family. We are in the middle of a custody trial and out of respect for the court, I’ll keep my comments brief.
“In court the mother of my children made a number of false allegations against me. Those allegations are lies. There is no truth to them, not one. They are complete fabrications; not distortions or misrepresentations – just flat-out lies. The truth is I love my family and I love my children more than anything.
“I will make my case next week in court and have every confidence that the truth will prevail but I must respect the court – and the time to make my case is in court.
“Again, I want you to know that the allegations made against me are completely false.
I look forward to putting this behind our family and getting back to raising my kids and talking with you about the critical issues facing our nation, and soon enough I will. In the meantime, I would ask that you keep my children in your prayers.
“Thank you.”