Big Payout In Lawsuit Over Disgraved Ex-Mayor Bob Filner
Former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner’s penchant for sexually harassing women in his office didn’t just cost him his job – it has cost the city a large chunk of taxpayer money.
The nation’s eighth largest city will pay $250,000 to a woman who was the first to go public with sexual harassment allegations against former Mayor Bob Filner, San Diego’s city attorney announced Monday, one day before voters return to the polls to elect a new leader.
The settlement ends a lawsuit filed by Filner’s former communications director, Irene McCormack Jackson, but harassment suits by two more women are pending. McCormack was the first of 18 women to go public with harassment allegations last year against the disgraced mayor, who stepped down Aug. 30 amid the scandal. She claimed that Filner asked her to work without panties, demanded kisses, told her he wanted to see her naked and dragged her in a headlock while whispering in her ear. Other accusers included a retired Navy rear admiral, a San Diego State University dean and a great-grandmother.
The City Council approved the settlement Monday and McCormack will be paid one lump sum, City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said. He said the settlement was the best ending to a case that was scheduled to go to trial next year.
