California Assemblyman Bocanegra Set to Resign … Sexual Harassment Charges ‘Too Costly to Fight’ 

POLITICS--Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, D-Pacoima, announced Monday that he would not seek re-election and immediately resign from his leadership position of Assembly Whip.

“I have sought counsel from community members and constituents. After much discussion and reflection, the most prudent decision to avoid another costly special election in Los Angeles and ensure our community is not left without any representation in the state Assembly would be for me to resign at the end of the legislative session,” said Bocanegra in a statement. (See CityWatch story “Sexual Harassment: Is LA City Hall a Safe Work Space for Its Employees?)

According to the LA Times, the resignation came after it presented an article to the assemblyman’s office Friday afternoon in which six women accused him of sexual harassment.

It was revealed last month that Bocanegra had been disciplined in 2009 for “inappropriate and unwelcome physical contact” with and “inappropriate and unwelcome verbal remarks” directed at a legislative staffer at an after-work event.

Elise Flynn Gyore said Bocanegra, who was then chief of staff for then-Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes, “menaced me that evening,” groping her and following her in a threatening manner.

Bocanegra was first elected to the Assembly in 2012, then narrowly defeated in 2014. He then won in a rematch in 2016.

(Avery Bissett writes for CalWatchDog … where this report was first filed.)

-cw