San Diego mayor facing recall effort over harassment claims

SAN DIEGO San Diego's beleaguered mayor is facing a deadline to respond to organizers of a recall effort who say he needs to leave office after more than a dozen women alleged he made unwanted advances or inappropriate statements to them.

Under the city's municipal code, Mayor Bob Filner must submit a written response of 300 words or less to the clerk's office by Monday.

The petition can begin circulating whether he responds or not.

But if he does, his written response must be included on the petition. Otherwise the petition must state that he did not respond.

Filner has not been seen since entering an intensive therapy session. On Friday, Filner ended therapy earlier than he announced, his attorneys said.

Filner will continue counseling on an outpatient basis, the Payne & Fears LLP law firm said.

The mayor said last month that he would begin therapy Aug. 5, acknowledging that he behaved inappropriately toward women for years. Filner said at the time that he would return to work Aug. 19 after a two-week program.

It was unclear if Filner began therapy earlier than he said he would. The law firm said he completed the two-week program but did not say when he started.

All nine members of the City Council have called for the mayor to resign eight months into a four-year term, including two lone holdouts who issued a scathing joint statement on Friday that he should leave office immediately.

On Monday, opponents of Filner held a "Not Welcome Back" rally at the Civic Center Plaza in downtown San Diego, reports CBS8 San Diego

San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com