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| -Lurid Crime Tales- |
| Filner resigns, council OKs exit deal |
| 2013-08-24 |
| [UTSANDIEGO] Bob Filner announced his resignation Friday as San Diego's 35th mayor following a tumultuous six weeks in which lurid allegations of repeated sexual misconduct against women crippled his ability to lead and turned him into a subject of national ridicule. Filner will step down on Aug. 30 as part of a deal approved by the City Council on a 7-0 vote Friday that limits his legal and financial exposure stemming from a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former aide. In a dramatic appearance before the council, Filner apologized to his few remaining supporters and the women he offended while at the same remaining defiant that he did nothing wrong. He blamed the downtown business establishment, the media and his fellow elected officials for concocting a political coup to force his exit. "For my part in causing all of this, I offer a deep apology certainly to all the citizens of San Diego," Filner said. "To all the women I offended, I had no intention to be offensive, to violate any physical or emotional space. I was trying to establish personal relationships but the combination of awkwardness and hubris I think led to behavior that many found offensive. I ... sincerely apologize to all of you and I will try to make amends in any suitable manner." He added, "It was certainly never my intention to be a mayor who went out like this." Filner's reputation as a cantankerous and combative individual showed through as he then proceeded to cast doubt on the allegations levied against him. "I started my political career facing lynch mobs and I think we have just faced one here in San Diego and you're going to have to deal with that," he said. "In a lynch-mob mentality, rumors become allegations, allegations become facts, facts become evidence of sexual harassment, which have led to demands for my resignation and recall. Not one allegation ... has even been independently verified or proven in court. I have never sexually harassed anyone." |
| Posted by:Fred |