San Diego Mayor Bob Filner is being accused of sexually harassing a great grandmother.
Approximately 16 women have now come forward to level similar accusations against the Democrat who was narrowly elected in mayor in a November 2012 runoff and has been engulfed in scandal for about a month over his alleged personal misbehavior.
Peggy Shannon, 67, who is being represented by so-called celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, went public with her allegations against Filner in a news conference today. In recent days and weeks, prominent politicians in both parties — including some former key supporters — have called on the mayor to resign but so far he has refused to do so.
Politico reports that “Shannon, who works at the Senior Citizens Service Desk in San Diego City Hall, alleged that Filner hugged her, kissed her on the lips and repeatedly came by her desk to ask her out.”
San Diego attorney Kathryn Vaughn today also revealed today that the mayor groped her in an incident about 10 years ago.
A rally — the Freedom from Filner March — will take place at San Diego City Hall on Sunday calling for his resignation.
Filner, who recently returned from a therapy program of some kind, now has the unique distinction of being banned from all San Diego area Hooters restaurants.
The San Diego City Council is also suing the mayor to recover costs for a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him if the city itself is found liable. According to City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, “If Bob Filner engaged in unlawful conduct and the city is held liable, he will have to reimburse us every penny the city pays and its attorney fees.”
A recall effort against Filner, 70, is also underway. Filner was a Member of Congress from 1993 to 2012.
According to The Atlantic , “In 2011, at least three women warned the head of the San Diego County Democratic Party of stories in the community about then-Rep. Bob Filner making inappropriate advances toward professional women with whom he’d come in contact through his political position.” The Atlantic also notes that rumors are swirling that the mayor — who supposedly was known in Washington by the “filthy Filner” nickname, is “working on a negotiated exit from office.”
Given this growing sexual harassment scandal, how much longer do you think Bob Filner will be able to remain as San Diego mayor?