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Ex-San Diego Mayor Bob Filner Faces Another Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Ex-San Diego Mayor Bob Filner Faces Another Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

SAN DIEGO — A former staffer for ex-San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has filed a lawsuit alleging that he subjected her to “severe and pervasive sexual harassment.”

Benelia Santos-Hunter, 50, who was an executive assistant to Filner, said the former mayor repeatedly asked her for kisses and attempted to grab her breasts and buttocks.

“Filner’s behavior was repugnant and revolting,” according to a lawsuit filed against Filner and the city in San Diego County Superior Court.

Filner resigned on Aug. 30, 2013, after numerous women accused him of sexual harassment. He later pleaded guilty to one count of felony false imprisonment and two counts of misdemeanor battery. Filner served three months of home confinement.

According to the lawsuit, Filner subjected Santos-Hunter to such comments as “Let’s spend a passionate time together,” “Let’s go in the back and make love right now,” and “Let’s have sex on the conference table.”

Santos-Hunter complained about Filner’s behavior to the assistant chief operating officer but was rebuffed, according to the lawsuit.

The city has rejected a claim by Santos-Hunter seeking $1.5 million in damages. The rejection was a prelude to the filing of the lawsuit.

Joshua Gruenberg, Santos-Hunter’s lawyer, said that while some of Filner’s actions toward his client are similar to those he made toward other women, there is a significant difference.

“Filner acted creepy toward a lot of women who came to him at City Hall for help but they could just walk away,” he said. “But Benelia felt trapped, she had to put up with Filner to keep her job.”

The city has already settled a lawsuit filed by another former Filner staff member. A damage suit filed by Filner’s former director of communications, Irene McCormack Jackson, was settled for $250,000 and an apology.

Filner, 71, was the city’s first Democratic mayor in two decades. He lives in a downtown high-rise and has declined all interview requests since his resignation.

He was deposed this week by an attorney for a city parks and recreation employee, Stacy McKenzie, who has also sued him for harassment.

Photo via WikiCommons

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Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Filed Against Ex-San Diego Mayor Bob Filner

Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Filed Against Ex-San Diego Mayor Bob Filner

By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

 

SAN DIEGO — A woman has filed a lawsuit against former Mayor Bob Filner, alleging that he sexually harassed her at a public event at an elementary school while his police bodyguards watched.

In the lawsuit, filed this week in San Diego County Superior Court, Marilyn McGaughy alleges that she was “kissed, massaged, (and) groped” by the then-mayor, who made “repeated sexual advances and sexual comments.”

Filner’s police bodyguards “were present and witnessed Filner’s wrongful conduct, however, they failed to stop Filner or protect McGaughy,” according to the lawsuit filed by attorney Daniel Gilleon.

The suit alleges that Filner committed sexual battery, gender violence and sexual harassment. McGaughy is seeking unspecified damages.

Filner, 71, a 10-term member of Congress, was elected mayor in November 2012, the city’s first Democratic mayor in two decades.

McGaughy, an advocate against domestic violence, was at Johnson Elementary School in May 2013 when Filner attended an event where he “interacted with students and teachers and brought city ‘swag’ to hand out and to promote city activities.”

McGaughy will continue to suffer “physical and emotional distress, embarrassment and mental anguish,” the lawsuit asserts.

The lawsuit was filed after the city rejected a claim on McGaughy’s behalf seeking $250,000.

Filner resigned in August amid accusations from more than 20 women that he sexually harassed them. In October, he pleaded guilty to one felony count of false imprisonment and two counts of misdemeanor battery involving mistreatment of women.

He served a 90-day sentence of home confinement and is now on probation for three years.

In February, the City Council voted to pay $250,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Filner by his former communications director, Irene McCormack Jackson. She had alleged that Filner harassed her for months, including saying she and other women should work without panties.

Also in February, the council voted to settle a harassment claim by city employee Peggy Shannon by issuing an apology and declaring a day in her honor. Shannon was a part-time employee at the senior citizens desk in the lobby of City Hall when she was repeatedly harassed by Filner, according to her claim.

As part of his resignation agreement, the council voted to pay his share of any settlement in the Jackson lawsuit.

Besides the McGaughy lawsuit, two other sexual harassment lawsuits are pending against Filner and the city.

Photo via Mayoral Portrait 

Ex-Mayor Filner Finishes Home-Confinement Sentence

Ex-Mayor Filner Finishes Home-Confinement Sentence

By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

SAN DIEGO — Former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner finished his 90-day home confinement Sunday, his sentence after pleading guilty to state charges of mistreating women.

Television crews camped out in front of Filner’s condo in downtown San Diego awaiting his emergence.

Filner, 71, the city’s first Democratic mayor in 20 years, resigned in August amid accusations from more than 20 women that he has harassed them, a subsequent recall movement and calls for his resignation from the City Council.

On Sunday, Filner issued a statement to KNSD-NBC7, repeating his apology to the women he had offended and vowing to reform his behavior so he can “earn forgiveness and regain my integrity.”

Under a plea bargain with the state attorney general’s office, Filner remains under three years’ probation.

Under home confinement, he was required to wear a GPS monitor and could only leave his condo for medical appointments, religious services or with the permission of a probation officer.