Sexual harassment: California lawmaker reprimanded for ‘locker room talk’
SACRAMENTO — A Republican state lawmaker will have to complete sensitivity training after an Assembly investigation found he frequently engaged in “lockerroom talk” that included making sexual comments about other legislators, documents released Wednesday show.
Assemblyman Devon Mathis, R-Visalia, will be required to complete training sessions on the Assembly’s sexual harassment policy, sensitivity training and meet with a counselor, according to the Assembly speaker’s office. No details about the allegations against Mathis were made public in an Assembly Rules Committee letter released Wednesday, other than characterizing his behavior as “locker-room talk.”
Mathis’ office said the investigation began eight months ago and was prompted by allegations that ranged from sexual misconduct to inappropriate comments.
“The Assembly Rules Committee found no wrongdoing of any sexual misconduct,” Mathis said in a statement. “The locker-room conversation referenced in the letter, that took place almost four years ago, was wrong and something for which I have previously apologized and do so again.”
The now-concluded investigation follows months of selfexamination by the Legislature regarding a culture in which women said they did not have faith that sexual harassment or assault allegations would be taken seriously by the Assembly or Senate.
Three lawmakers resigned in response to sexual misconduct allegations: Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia (Los Angeles County), and Assemblymen Raul Bocanegra, DSan Fernando Valley, and Matthew Dababneh, D-Encino (Los Angeles County).
Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens (Los Angeles County), took an unpaid leave earlier this year after she was accused of groping a staffer. That allegation wasn’t substantiated, but a new investigation was opened after the man who made the allegation appealed the finding.
In another case, Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, was told to stop hugging other lawmakers and staffers after an investigation found multiple instances of unwanted touching.
The Legislature adopted new sexual harassment policies last month and created a bureau to field complaints. Alleged victims and their advocates had argued that the old system, in which people with harassment allegations took them to a panel of legislators, created a potential conflict of interest for lawmakers.
In Mathis’ case, investigators for the Assembly wrapped up their inquiry June 20, but it was not released until Wednesday after Mathis’ appeal was heard. Mathis appealed one substantiated finding, which was dismissed after subsequent investigation. No details were released on the allegation.
Mathis, 35, is seeking a third term in November. He is a defendant in an unrelated lawsuit filed by a former staff member who says he sexually harassed and bullied her. Mathis has characterized the woman as a “disgruntled employee.”
Mathis is also being sued for wrongful termination by his former chief of staff, Sean Doherty.