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July 25, 2013

San Diego Mayor Refuses to Resign Following Claims of Sexual Harassment 
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San Diego Mayor Bob Filner is facing calls to resign amidst a series of
accusations he sexually harassed women. Filner's former secretary, Irene
Mc Cormack Jackson, filed suit against him earlier this week. At a news
conference, Jackson said she both endured harassment from Filner and
witnessed him harassing other women.

Irene Mc Cormack Jackson: "I saw him place his hands where they did not
belong on numerous women. I was placed in the 'Filner headlock,' and
moved around as a rag doll while he whispered sexual comments in my ear.
Mayor Filner challenged me to give him one example of how his behavior
towards me was improper. I pointed out that he had asked me to work
without my underwear on. He had no comeback."

Another woman, political strategist Laura Fink, has also come forward
with similar claims. Filner has acknowledged inappropriate sexual
conduct toward a number of women, but has refused to step down. Two of
his top aides have resigned since the scandal broke. The San Diego
police have set up a hotline specifically to field complaints from
Filner's alleged victims. Before his election as San Diego mayor last
year, Filner served 20 years as a Democratic member of Congress.

 

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