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J Streeter, Alleged Sexual Harasser Resigns as San Diego Mayor
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner speaks at a press conference about allegations he sexually harassed women. (AP)
BY: Washington Free Beacon Staff
August 23, 2013 6:56 pm
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, whose political career has been aided by the left-leaning Middle East activist group J Street, announced his resignation from office on Friday amid a drawn-out and escalating sexual harassment scandal.
Eighteen women have stepped forward in recent weeks to accuse the former congressman and J Street-endorsee of sexual harassment, ranging from lewd pick-up lines to face-slobbering and unwanted groping.
In a defiant and emotional resignation speech on Friday, Filner blasted the media coverage of the scandal described the pressure on him to resign as a “political coup.”
“I can’t afford to continue this battle,” said Filner.
He denied that he sexually harassed anyone, and claimed, “if given due process I would be vindicated.”
His resignation will take effect on Aug. 30.
Filner, pictured here at a J Street Gala in 2012, represented California’s 51st congressional district from 1993 to 2012, before succeeding Jerry Sanders as mayor of San Diego.
http://washingtonlife.smugmug.com/2012PHOTOS/Reception-for-J-street/22144915_rrZWjQ/1768210525_m3FbFv5#!i=1768210525&k=m3FbFv5His political career began unraveling in July, after three female former supporters held a press conference accusing him of inappropriate sexual advances.
Filner received contributions from the self-described “pro-Israel, pro-peace” organization’s political action arm while serving in congress in 2008 and 2010. He also joined the group’s policy efforts, voting against a pro-Israel bill in 2012.
J Street has often been accused by critics in the pro-Israel community of working against Israel’s interests. The Washington Times reported in 2010 that the organization had received much of its funding from anti-Israel financier George Soros, despite J Street’s prior denials that it accepted money from Soros.
“My lifetime commitment to civil rights has been deeply shaped and influenced by my own Jewish values and upbringing,” said Filner in a 2008
http://jstreet.org/uploads/files/Jst_Report_FINAL_PRINT.pdf “My lifetime commitment to civil rights has been deeply shaped and influenced by my own Jewish values and upbringing,” said Filner in a 2008 endorsement of J Street. “It’s thrilling to see the emergence of a new voice in Washington giving expression to those same values and principles.”
Filner submitted his resignation after reaching a deal with the San Diego City Council, which has been assessing the allegations against him.
A spokesperson for J Street declined to comment.
Topic: J street's alleged sexual harasser resigns in shame (Read 655 times)