California Democratic chairman accused of sexual harassment
SACRAMENTO — Eric Bauman, the powerful chairman of the California Democratic Party, made crude sexual comments and engaged in unwanted touching or physical intimidation in professional settings, 10 party staff members and political activists said in interviews with the Los Angeles Times.
When presented with the allegations, Bauman said in a statement Wednesday that he plans to seek treatment for health issues and alcohol use.
“I deeply regret if my behavior has caused pain to any of the outstanding individuals with whom I’ve had the privilege to work. I appreciate the courage it took for these individuals to come forward to tell their stories,” Bauman said.
“In the interest of allowing the CDP’s independent investigation to move forward, I do not wish to respond to any of the specific allegations. However, I will use the time I am on leave to immediately seek medical intervention to address serious, ongoing health issues and to begin treatment for what I now realize is an issue with alcohol,” he said.
“Leading the California Democratic Party to historic victories has been the honor of a lifetime, and I look forward to continuing this important work upon the conclusion of the investigation and when my health allows,” Bauman, 59, said in his statement.
The allegations come after a tumultuous week in which Bauman was accused of unspecified misconduct and took a leave of absence.
In a letter last week calling for Bauman’s resignation, Vice Chairman Daraka Larimore-Hall referred only to “a clear and escalating pattern of Chairman Bauman’s horrific and dehumanizing behavior.”
Bauman, who is gay, is a fixture in California and LGBTQ politics. A former nurse who ascended to the top echelon of the state Democratic Party, Bauman has built a reputation for being brash and boisterous, with a large circle of allies within the party.
As chairman, he is the face of the Democratic Party in California, and helps guide its campaign efforts, fundraising and policy positions.
But the people who spoke to the Times said his familiarity crossed the line into inappropriate conduct over more than a decade, and at times appeared to be tolerated by some in the party.
Some of those interviewed spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear it could hurt their careers. Others said they felt conflicting emotions about speaking out, knowing it could harm the party.
“People just didn’t know how to speak up about it,” said Allan Acevedo, a political consultant who is active in the youth arm of the party. “There was a sense of loyalty. Not just to him, but to any advancement that any LGBT person makes in terms of us having representation at the table.”
Eight current party staffers said that, while he was serving as chairman, Bauman would regularly make sexually explicit comments in the workplace to men and women, including remarks about sexual acts, his and other staffers’ genitalia, and being sexually attracted to staff members.
One female staffer based in Southern California said Bauman made obscene comments to her at an official dinner in September 2017.
The staffer, who describes herself as a masculine-presenting woman, said Bauman, using explicit language, told her that she must have been a gay man in her past life because he wanted to sleep with her. She said he made another remark about men he liked to have sex with. Another party staffer told the Times that the woman discussed the incident with her soon after the event.
A gay male party official said that during professional interactions with Bauman, the party chairman inquired about his sex life with his partner.