Allred Calls For Public Hearing Before City Council Vote On Filner Settlement
SAN DIEGO (CBS/AP) — Attorney Gloria Allred Thursday called for a public hearing to address terms of a sexual harassment settlement that may lead to the resignation of San Diego mayor Bob Filner.
Allred is representing Filner's former communication's director, Irene McCormack Jackson, who brought the suit against the 70-year-old former congressman who took office last December.
The filing prompted at least 16 others to come forward with similar allegations of sexual harassment against Filner.
All nine members of the City Council along with a laundry list of fellow Democrats including U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have since called on the politician to quit.
Filner's lawyers issued a statement Thursday confirming a settlement had been negotiated with city officials, although its terms have not been revealed.
A source close to the negotiations said it could allow Filner to step down without having to pay back legal fees the city would have to spend to defend itself.
But Allred says that the presumed terms of the deal, scheduled for a closed-door vote by the City Council on Friday, are morally wrong and hypocritical of the city.
"His parting gift should be good riddance instead of a handout," she said.
McCormack Jackson and Allred participated in the first of three days of negotiations before a mediator but Allred said she never signed off on a settlement and doesn't know any details.
"The mayor's resignation should not be bought at the expense of his victims," Allred continued. "We do not know the details of the reported dail and we have not approved it."
Joining Allred at a news conference Thursday was Filner's former fiancée, Bronwyn Ingram, who echoed the call for his resignation.
"In this great American democracy we expect and deserve our government and its representatives to serve the city and the community in a respectful, intelligent and fair manner," she said.
Ingram said she never witnessed any instances sexual harassment first-hand.
She previously said that Filner's behavior on a trip they took together and the current allegations have led her to believe that he is impaired in ability to run a city.
City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said earlier this week details of the proposed settlement deal would not be announced until the City Council had time to vote.
Filner hasn't had any public events since returning to work this week following therapy for his behavior. He has acknowledged disrespecting and intimidating women but has denied any sexual harassment.
Should Filner resign, City Council President Todd Gloria would become acting mayor until a special election is held.
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