Texas State Rep. Accused of Long-Term Affair, Funding Abortions Despite Speaking Against Them

Texas state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, who has represented the state's 98th district since 2012, is facing public backlash following allegations from a former exotic dancer who claims the Republican lawmaker had a 17-year affair with her.

In an interview with outlet Current Revolt, Alex Grace alleged Capriglione paid her for private meetings and financially supported multiple abortions during the course of their relationship.

Grace said the relationship began around 2004 after Capriglione visited the club where she worked.

"I was a very young mother, and I started my journey in exotic dancing. And with that comes a lot of fight, a lot of struggle. So naturally, I was pleasantly surprised when I met Giovanni," she began.

According to The Texas Tribune, Grace said their meetings became more frequent over time. She detailed receiving gifts over the course of their relationship, including cash payments. In one instance, she said, Capriglione left an envelope filled with money behind a Chuck E. Cheese.

"He told me to go to the back of the building and that next to the dumpster there would be a rubber mat. Look under it," Grace said. "And under this rubber mat was an envelope with money."

She also alleged Capriglione paid for several abortions, saying the contradiction between his private actions and public anti-abortion stance prompted her to speak out.

"He is someone that portrays himself to be so anti-abortion, yet he has funded several abortions for his own personal gain," she said.

Capriglione has long supported anti-abortion legislation. In 2021, he backed Texas' "trigger law," which banned nearly all abortions in the state following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. He also supported laws that allow civil penalties for people who help others obtain an abortion, including by providing financial assistance.

In a statement issued July 25, Capriglione admitted to a past extramarital affair but denied the remaining allegations.

"Years ago, I selfishly had an affair. I'm not proud of this. Thank God my wife and family forgave me," he said. "But I have never, nor would I ever, pay for an abortion."

He called the claims politically motivated and said he intends to take legal action against both Grace and Current Revolt.

"As the Fox-Dominion case demonstrated, media outlets cannot turn over their publications to those making false and defamatory claims and wash their hands of all responsibility. Those who perpetrated these falsehoods must be held accountable," Capriglione said.

Although he previously announced he will not seek re-election, Capriglione said he plans to serve through the end of his current term, which concludes in January 2027.

"I will fight even harder because I know I'm on the right track," he said. "I've learned that fear of false personal attacks must not deter us from doing our jobs."