Council: San Diego mayor must pay own legal fees

SAN DIEGO: The San Diego City Council twice voted unanimously to make Mayor Bob Filner responsible for the expenses in a sexual harassment lawsuit, attempting to distance itself from the leader of the eighthlargest US city amid mounting calls for his resignation.

At its Tuesday night meeting, the City Council voted 9-0 to deny funds for Filner’s legal expenses in the lawsuit filed by his former communications director Irene McCormack Jackson, one of eight women who have come forward recently with allegations of unwanted sexual advances.

“His employers, San Diego taxpayers, did not have to bail him out for the mess he created,” City Councilman Kevin Faulconer said.

Earlier in the day in a closed session, the Council voted 9-0 to have the city sue Filner to require that he pay all costs incurred by the lawsuit, which names the city as a defendant in addition to Filner.

“If Bob Filner engaged in unlawful conduct and the city is held liable, he will have to reimburse us every penny the city pays and its attorney fees,” City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said.

Seven of nine City Council members have urged Filner, the city’s first Democratic leader in 20 years, to resign.

Jackson sued the mayor and the city on July 22, alleging the mayor asked her to work without panties, demanded kisses, told her he wanted to see her naked and dragged her in a headlock while whispering in her ear. — AP