Bob Filner Sexual Harassment: San Diego Mayor Admits He ‘Needs Help’

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has admitted he needs professional help after several longtime supporters have called upon him to resign amid sexual harassment allegations.

In an apology to his constituents, Mayor Filner admitted that “As someone who has spent a lifetime fighting for equality for all people, I am embarrassed to admit that I have failed to fully respect the women who work for me and with me, and that at times I have intimidated them,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

Added Filner: “You have every right to be disappointed in me. I only ask that you give me an opportunity to prove I am capable of change, so that the vision I have for our city’s future can be realized.” He gave no indication in the statement that he would consider stepping down. He also noted that he and his City Hall staff would take anti-sexual harassment training.

Former city councilwoman and prominent Filner supporter Donna Frye today declared the mayor should leave office based on credible complaints by several women who do not want to identified at this time. According to Frye, the woman fear retribution and also don’t want to be caught up in a media circus, reports the San Diego ABC News affiliate.

However, a sexual harassment lawsuit against the mayor is possible, their attorney has indicated.

Filner, 70, a former Congressman, is the first Democrat to be elected as the mayor of San Diego in 20 years. He was narrowly elected in a November 2012 runoff.

Filner’s fiancee, Bronwyn Ingram, has broken up with the mayor reportedly as a result of these sexual harassment allegations, according to AP. Several of Mayor Filner’s key aides have also recently resigned.

The mayor is also engulfed in separate controversies involving alleged financial improprieties.

[top image credit: Pattymooney]