Mayor denies sex claim
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson on Thursday denied a sexual harassment claim filed by a city employee who alleges he propositioned her for a tryst in late 2013.
Estrellita Muller, then a staffer in the city manager’s office, alleged that Johnson pressed his body against her, tried to kiss her and suggested that they begin a sexual relationship during a private meeting in the mayoral library at City Hall on Dec. 26, 2013, according to a complaint obtained by The Times.
Thereafter, according to the complaint, Muller steered clear of Johnson, but during the summer of 2014 he allegedly called her out for avoiding him, grabbed her hands across her desk and rubbed her thumbs.
Johnson told reporters Thursday that a “complete and thorough” internal investigation by the city — which was subsequently reviewed by an outside employment lawyer — found no substance to Muller’s allegations. According to the city attorney’s office, the claim was denied.
“As an elected official, I understand that I am the target of attacks, and I understand that even though this is an allegation — one that has absolutely no merit — it will generate headlines and will wound me, my family and the city. That’s sad and disappointing on so many levels.”
Johnson noted that the sexual harassment allegations first surfaced in September 2014 — weeks before his so-called strong-mayor ballot measure went before voters.
The ultimately unsuccessful measure would have enhanced the mayor’s authority and stripped power from the city manager.
But Johnson stopped short of calling the sexual harassment claim an outright political attack.
Muller’s complaint seeks $200,000, stating that her career has been harmed by the alleged harassment.
According to Muller’s complaint, she was invited into Johnson’s library by the mayor’s security officer.
Johnson closed the door, gave her a “close hug” and touched her on her torso, according to the complaint.
Johnson confessed his attraction to her and asked if she was “game” for a sexual affair, the complaint says.
Although Muller expressed opposition, Johnson allegedly gave her more time to consider, telling her to signal her final answer in a few weeks by giving him a thumbs up or thumbs down, according to the complaint.
“The harassment continued,” and Johnson told Muller in July 2014, “Hey lady … you are avoiding me,” the claim states.
Muller filed her first complaint with the city attorney in September 2014 and was transferred the following month to another department.
She filed a formal discrimination complaint in October; three months later, she was told her complaint was denied on account of insufficient evidence.