Faced with accusations of sexual harassment by six women, San Fernando Valley Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra said today he is resigning effective immediately.
The Democrat said he had initially intended to resign immediately but opted to remain for the balance of his term to ensure his district continued to be represented in Sacramento and to avoid the cost of a special election.
“Upon further reflection during the recent holiday weekend, and conversations with family, friends, supporters, I have decided to resign earlier from the state Assembly effective immediately, which was my original intention,” he said.
Bocanegra’s announcement last week that he would not seek reelection came just before the Los Angeles Times published allegations of sexual harassment against him by six women. The Times reported last month that Bocanegra was disciplined in 2009 after a female Capitol staffer accused him of “inappropriate and unwelcome physical contact” while he was a chief of staff.
– from City News Service
