Party leader facing inquiry
California Democrats hire outside counsel to review allegations of sexual misconduct.
The California Democratic Party has launched an investigation into unspecified allegations of sexual misconduct against Chairman Eric Bauman involving party staff members.
In a statement released Saturday evening, Bauman confirmed an investigation was underway but did not address the allegations. He said that independent counsel has been hired to investigate the matter.
“I look forward to putting these allegations behind us and moving forward as unified Democrats,” Bauman said in the statement.
Last Tuesday, Daraka Larimore-Hall, a vice chairman of the state Democratic Party, sent a letter to state party leadership calling for Bauman’s removal.
In the letter, LarimoreHall said he learned of the allegations during a recent party executive board meeting. He said he had spoken to two of Bauman’s accusers and that their stories “illustrate a clear and escalating pattern of Chairman Bauman’s horrific and dehumanizing behavior.”
Larimore-Hall declined to provide details and said in a public statement Saturday that he was withholding the names of those involved to protect their privacy.
Bauman was elected chairman of the party in 2017, after a closely contested election against progressive activist Kimberly Ellis. A former nurse and organizer, he led the Los Angeles County Democrats for 17 years and also served as vice chairman for the statewide party for eight years.
Bauman has been under investigation for at least one harassment complaint involving employees before the Nov. 6 election, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
“These allegations are very troubling and deserve a full and thorough investigation,” Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom said in a statement Sunday.
“Sexual harassment has no place in the California Democratic Party, and people who are victims deserve to have their voices heard, free from intimidation and judgment.”