California assemblyman resigns amid numerous accusations of sexual misconduct
And another lawmaker accused of misconduct, Sen.
But organizers of the powerful anti-harassment campaign We Said Enough said Bocanegra's resignation and Mendoza's demotion only underscore the need for what they have demanded for weeks: a victims' hotline, confidential crisis counseling services, independent investigations, whistleblower protections and anti-retaliation laws.
"Unfortunately, eliminating one or two bad actors does not change the environment," they said in a joint statement. "We need systemic change."
Pressure had been building on Bocanegra to leave office in the days leading up to his decision. Last week, the Democrat said he would not run for re-election next year. Later that day, the Los Angeles Times published accounts from six women who said Bocanegra had sexually assaulted or harassed them since 2009 when, as a chief of staff for then-Assemblyman
In a defensive statement on Facebook Monday, Bocanegra -- who was elected to the Assembly in 2012 -- denied serious wrongdoing and suggested he was the victim of "political opportunism."
"I believed in our system of 'innocent until proven guilty' and that the truth would come out clearing my name and reputation," he said. "But clearly, the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty' has been temporarily lost in a hurricane of political opportunism among the self-righteous in my case -- to the detriment of both the accuser and the accused."
He added: "I sincerely hope that my decision to resign immediately does not embolden those who are using this serious problem in our society to advance their own personal political gain; rather it is my hope that this action can instead help to widen the doors for victims of sexual assault and workplace harassment to find justice and solace."
Loyola Law Professor
"This is just such a 'shame on everybody else except me' statement," she said. "It's hardly a statement about the importance of gender equality or protecting both women and men in the workplace."
The tenor of Bocanegra's statement was in sharp contrast to one delivered Monday by a contrite
"I know I let a lot of people down," Franken said. "Everyone counted on me to be a champion for women."
The fallout continued Monday in
In a statement Monday afternoon, Mendoza said the action was taken to avoid the perception of bias during the investigation into the "unsubstantiated allegations against me," and that he had been instructed by the
Earlier this month, the
Kwart, now district director for Assemblyman
Assembly Speaker
"One resignation, however, does not solve the problem," Rendon said. With Tuesday's hearings "and with the ongoing guidance of the Legislative Women's Caucus, the Assembly will keep working to change the climate in the
The Associated Press and
To watch the hearing live:
At
___
(c)2017 the Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.)
Visit the Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.) at www.eastbaytimes.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Homeland Security Department (DHS); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (F.R. Page 52739) – Meeting
In Trump health secretary pick, Dems have questions but hope
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News