A Republican state lawmaker in Florida went silent after he was questioned about accusations that he drugged and raped a former intern, according to reports Wednesday.
Republican State Rep. Fabian Basabe, 48, took the stand in a Florida courtroom on Tuesday — he is being sued by two former employees. And in the trial that started this week, Basabe is being sued for sexually harassing his former Florida House legislative intern and aide, and later defaming the aide's mother.
Film director and political commentator Bill Corben described the "stunning moment" in a post on X.
"Basabe sat SILENT for TEN SECONDS on the stand in front of a shocked Leon County courtroom in Tallahassee, not answering a question from plaintiffs’ attorney Katherine Viker," Corben wrote.
Basabe, who is not an attorney and has not attended law school, has been representing himself in what the Miami Herald reported as a "chaotic" trial. Judge J. Lee Marsh has admonished Basabe for "violating court orders ... at least five times."
Basabe has denied the allegations. He testified that the former aide "was always a loser," according to the Miami Herald.
He is currently up for re-election.
Stunning moment yesterday in the civil trial of Miami Republican State Rep. Fabian Basabe who is being sued for sexually harassing his former Florida House legislative intern and aide, and later defaming the staffer and his mother.
Basabe sat SILENT for TEN SECONDS on the stand… pic.twitter.com/VxGyhJ98RZ
— Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) July 15, 2026