California senator asked to take leave during sexual misconduct probe
SACRAMENTO — California Senate leader Kevin de Leon ramped up pressure Thursday on Sen. Tony Mendoza, his former roommate and a fellow Democrat, urging him to take a leave of absence until an investigation is completed into alleged sexual misconduct. Mendoza hasn’t agreed. “It’s an ongoing conversation,” de Leon told reporters.
De Leon, in the midst of a campaign against U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, made his comments during a press conference where he announced the state Senate’s hiring of two law firms to handle all sexual harassment complaints made against senators and their staff for the next two years.
He also promised the Senate will release within 30 days more details of which lawmakers have faced sexual harassment complaints and investigations.
The Senate’s moves come almost two months after nearly 150 women who work in and around the Capitol released an open letter decrying a culture of pervasive sexual harassment.
Two Assembly Democrats — Matt Dababneh and Raul Bocangera — have already been forced out. Mendoza has maintained his seat despite allegations that he behaved inappropriately toward three young women who worked for him, including inviting one to his Sacramento home, which he shared with de Leon. De Leon said he did not know and moved out after the accusations became public. Mendoza denies wrongdoing.
The outside investigation into those allegations will be completed early next year, and Mendoza should step aside in the meantime, de Leon said. De Leon did not say what the Senate will do if Mendoza does not take a leave, or whether he will still be paid if he does. But Republican Sen. Andy Vidak said he will introduce a resolution to expel Mendoza when lawmakers return Jan. 3 if he has not stepped down.
The law firms will also look into allegations that Sen. Bob Hertzberg hugged female colleagues inappropriately. But de Leon said he does not think Hertzberg, who is known for hugging, should step aside.