Ting says affair did not affect his votes
San Francisco Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting on Saturday denied published allegations that an extramarital affair had influenced his work as a legislator, but he apologized to his family and constituents for not being faithful to his wife.
The public apology, which he made on Twitter, followed a story Friday by the conservative news website Communities Digital News that reported Ting had an affair with a woman he met on a dating site. The woman later testified on behalf of AB5, a controversial piece of legislation that took effect this year and makes it harder for many companies to claim workers as independent contractors.
A strong majority of Sacramento Democrats supported AB5. Ting voted for it each time it came before the Assembly.
“The allegation that my bills or votes were ever driven by any personal consideration is false. I have fought for the rights of working people my entire adult life,” Ting wrote in a Twitter thread. “But I was not faithful to my marriage vows and for that, I am deeply,
deeply sorry.”
Asked about the allegations in the Communities Digital News report, Ting spokeswoman Nannette Miranda said Saturday, “Assemblymember Ting is letting his statement on social media speak for itself.”
Opponents of AB5 criticized Ting on Saturday, calling for the legislation to be repealed. At the same time, a number of Sacramento Democrats defended Ting.
“Sad personal news today from @philting,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (DLakewood) wrote on Twitter. “The Assemblymember has made a sincere apology to his constituents and colleagues for his mistake in violating his marriage vows and I have personally accepted his apology.”
State Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, added, “Thank you for this sincere expression about a deeply painful situation. I wish you & your family the best in moving through this.”
Ting, who chairs the powerful Assembly Budget Committee, is known for his environmental legislation, particularly as a champion of electric vehicles. He recently joined other lawmakers in criticizing the administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom for not providing more details about spending related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Communities Digital News reported Friday that Ting had an ongoing affair with Carmel Foster, a woman he met on the dating site “What’s Your Price?” in 2016. Foster testified in support of AB5 in April 2019.
The site reported that Foster, who worked as a house cleaner and caregiver for the elderly and people with disabilities, felt “exploited not only by Ting for four years but by the California Labor Federation and the National Domestic Workers Alliance.”
Reached by phone on Saturday, Foster declined to answer questions about the Communities Digital News report and said that an upcoming story would detail her concerns over both AB5 and AB2314, a bill she said Ting authored during their relationship. The 2018 bill, which was vetoed, would have established a labor standards enforcement pilot program overseeing domestic workers and their employees.
“The details of why I feel upset and exploited will be reported next week,” she said.