Male Staffer Accuses Bell Gardens Assemblywoman Of Misconduct

SACRAMENTO (AP) — The head of California's Legislative Women's Caucus and a leading figure in the state's anti-sexual harassment movement is accused of groping a male staffer from another lawmaker's office.

Politico reported the allegations against Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia on Thursday. Daniel Fierro says after a legislative softball game in 2014 Garcia stroked his back, squeezed his buttocks and attempted to touch his crotch.

He says he didn't report the incident until this January, when he shared it with his former boss, Assemblyman Ian Calderon, who referred it to Assembly leaders. Fierro says he was interviewed last Friday by an outside law firm hired by the Assembly.

Garcia says she was unaware of the claims until Thursday and does not remember the incident. She says she will participate fully in an investigation.

(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast rewritten or redistributed.)