SUIT FILED AGAINST MAYOR FILNER OVER SEXUAL HARASSMENT

By Nadin Abbott

Photos by Tom Abbott

July 23, 2013 (San Diego)—Two press conferences were held yesterday regarding the scandal in San Diego City Hall involving Mayor Bob Filner.

Prominent attorney Gloria Allred announced that she has filed a civil lawsuit against Mayor Filner on behalf of Irene McCormack-Jackson in Superior Court. McCormack-Jackson read a statement and her lawyer answered some questions from the media.

McCormack-Jackson said that she was proud the day that Mayor Filner appointed her as the City’s Communications Director. She came to the City after nine years working for the Port of San Diego as Vice President of Public Policy. She also worked previously in the media for about 20 years.

Taking this position with the city meant that McCormack-Jackson took a pay cut of $50,000.  Why did she take this job? Per the complaint “she is an idealist and felt the new administration would be doing good things and she wanted to be part of it.”

The complaint alleges that she was a victim of Mayor Filner’s headlock and unwanted sexual advances. Moreover, she claims, she was asked by the Mayor to have sex with him and to come to work not wearing panties. This behavior “made me feel ashamed, frightened and violated,” McCormack-Jackson states.

According to Allred, on one occasion when Filner tried to kiss McCormack-Jackson “and she told him to leave the office immediately, the Mayor responded that he was the Mayor and he could be wherever he wanted whenever he wanted.”

The day that Chief of Staff Allen Jones resigned from the City, was the day that McCormack realized that nothing was to change. According tod the complaint,“female staffers approached…Jones about the hostile work environment that the Mayor had created for female employees” while the Mayor was out of town in Sacramento.

McCormack-Jackson also claims that “three women had to be driven home because of his abusive treatment.” She further contends that “five schedulers resigned because of Defendant Mayor Filner’s behavior.”

In her closing statement Allred concluded “No, Mr. Mayor, you do not need help. What you need is to resign immediately. You have disgraced yourself and the office you hold.”

Then came the media questions. Allred told the media that any questions regarding criminal charges would have to be asked of the City Attorney’s office. She called for more protection for women at all levels. Allred also was emphatic that these laws have to be respected.

Sexual harassment is “a barrier, an obstacle to enjoyment of full employment” by women, and she added some men. She  said that what McCormack-Jackson was doing was very heroic by coming out, and that she hoped other women would as well, and that her office was ready to represent them.

Allred also was emphatic that all other recourses were closed, and that they received a Right to Sue letter from the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

The attorney added that if the voters had known that the Mayor needs help before the elections, chances are they would have not voted for him.

Last night, Mayor Filner released a statement that said he is “saddened by the charges leveled against me.” But he reiterated he does not plan to resign.

“I remain committed to the people of San Diego and the work that needs to be done.  My dreams and plans for moving this City to new heights are continuing.  I humbly ask that through this vicious storm of controversy, people take a moment and temper their rush to judgment,” he said.

“I do not believe these claims are valid.  That is why due process is so important.  I intend to defend myself vigorously and I know that justice will prevail.”

Also yesterday, Council President Todd Gloria and District Two Council Member Kevin Faulconer held a press conference at City Hall.

Gloria first stepped to the podium and affirmed, “We are here to reassure San Diegans. A shroud of shame hangs over the mayor’s office, the City Council, and our city employees are here working for you.”

He added “The City Council has not, and will not lose it’s purpose here at City Hall.” He said that he is proud of the progress the city has made representing the people of the city, and the different districts.

 Faulconer said that “a supermajority of the City Council, including President Gloria and myself has called on Mayor Filner to resign. So the cloud of uncertainty that he has created can be lifted from San Diego.”

Faulconer said that at this point the Mayor cannot get his phone calls answered by anybody. He also said that attracting business is becoming increasingly hard, and that San Diego is becoming a national joke, once again.

They both insisted that the business of the city would go on. As Gloria quipped, “City council can do both, it can walk and chew gum at the same time.”

Faulconer also said that the Council had the authority to “to work with the Major’s designees” and will fight for the interests of neighborhoods and businesses in communities.

According to Faulconer the “City Charter requires the Mayor to cooperate fully with the Council.”

When asked about the legal liability this has placed on the city, he alluded to the legal filing that was to be announced barely 15 minutes later. Gloria referred the media to the City Attorney when he was asked if there were charges pending.

When ECM asked about the City Government dysfunction, as the Mayor is not in good terms with either the City Attorney Jan Goldsmith or the City Council, Gloria answered that he does not talk to the media either.

Gloria said that they will do what they can, some of it with resolutions, but that with a strong City Council and Strong Mayor form of government the people need both to work.

They both said that as a last recourse the Council could have a resolution asking the Mayor to resign. They have not done that yet.

City Attorney Jan Goldsmith later reacted to the lawsuit.

“We will not under any circumstance represent Bob Filner," Goldsmith told reporters. He added, “We want to know the truth and see what steps we need to take if there are others to meet our obligations.” The Mayor is  represented by private attorney Harvey , Goldsmith indicated.

Goldsmith also announced that he has asked the Mayor not to meet alone with women at city facilities.

The City Attorney also  discussed the process for removing a mayor for misconduct, saying the city charter should be revisited, since Filner can only be removed from office through recall.