Legislator to quit after term

Accused of sexual harassment, L.A. assemblyman won’t run again

SACRAMENTO — As pressure mounts for male lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct to resign, one Los Angeles Democrat announced Monday that he will not seek re-election next year following “persistent rumors and speculation.”

Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, D-San Fernando Valley, who serves as majority whip, apologized for a 2009 incident in which he was quietly disciplined for groping a female staffer when he was also a legislative staffer.

“These news reports have since fueled persistent rumors and speculation, and I do not believe that this is in the best interest of my constituents to continue to serve next term,” Bocanegra wrote in a statement posted on his public Facebook page.

The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that the statement came after the paper contacted Bocanegra about additional women who have accused the assemblyman of sexual harassment.

In his statement, Bocanegra said he would leave effective Sept. 1 in order to avoid a costly special election to replace him. He also said he would immediately resign his leadership post as majority whip.

His decision drew intimidate criticism from the chair of the legislative women’s caucus, Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens (Los Angeles County). She said on Twitter that Bocanegra is trying to play the victim when he victimized women and girls and “brought shame to the people” he represents.

“Don’t wait till 2018. Leave now,” Garcia wrote.

Allegations of sexual misconduct have hit members of

“Don’t wait till 2018. Leave now.” Tweet from Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens (Los Angeles County), chair of the legislative women’s caucus

both houses in the Legislature. Leaders in the Senate are attempting to oust Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia (Los Angeles County), from his appointed positions after a third woman who had worked for him accused him of sexual harassment.

The allegations against both lawmakers come after hundreds of women who work in state politics signed an open letter over the past month saying they’d had enough of sexual harassment and sexual assault by lawmakers, lobbyists and legislative staffers at the Capitol.