Latinx Democratic Club is investigating sex allegations
A prominent San Francisco Democratic club is starting an investigation of its co-president in response to a Chronicle story detailing sexual assault allegations made against him, the organization said in a statement Monday.
The Latinx Democratic Club said that its co-president, Kevin Ortiz, is on a leave of absence related to the allegations, made by two women.
Ortiz, a former staffer for Rep. Nancy Pelosi, has denied the allegations and provided the Chronicle with text messages he says show he is being wrongly accused.
“We are extremely concerned about these allegations which the LDC is investigating with the utmost urgency,” the club’s statement said. “We reiterate our dedication to a thorough and fair review, protecting the rights of all individuals involved. We are committed to ending sexual violence and upholding the highest standards of integrity to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all our members.”
The statement says that LDC will form a special investigation committee composed of members of the club “to examine these matters comprehensively.”
“The safety, confidentiality and well-being of all parties involved are our top priorities,” the statement says. “We understand the importance of addressing these concerns and their impact on our community. As we proceed with this investigation, we ask for patience and support from our members and the public.”
The LDC said it will provide updates on the investigation “as appropriate.”
The club’s internal investigation comes after the club’s other co-president, Deldelp Medina, penned a Medium post saying she had resigned her position “with a heavy heart” just two days after the Chronicle published the article about Ortiz.
Medina did not mention Ortiz in her post and declined to discuss her decision when reached by phone. Medina won her position in a 2023 club election along with Ortiz under “the People’s Slate.” She said in the short post that she hopes the club and its leadership create “healing accountability and responsibility” in the future.
The club did not immediately return emailed requests for comment.
Medina’s resignation comes as the San Francisco Democratic Party is in the midst of a public conversation about sexual assaults and harassment in local political ranks. The party has created a special committee charged with combating sexual assault and harassment in the city’s Democratic circles.
The party charters local groups such as the Latinx Democratic Club as well as handing out endorsements in elections.
Medina wrote over the weekend that she believes “in restorative justice as someone who has worked on healing my traumas, including sexual assault.”
“As a survivor, I recognize that no one is the worst thing that they’ve ever done,” Medina wrote. “Yet, to create healing accountability and responsibility has to be at the center of the work. ”
Medina, who is running for a seat on the San Francisco school board in November, went on to say that safety needs to be guaranteed in “any political spaces and community spaces.”
As of early July, Ortiz was listed as co-president on the club’s website. Jim Quadra, Ortiz’s attorney, said in a text message Monday before the club said Ortiz was taking a leave of absence that Ortiz remained a co-president of the club. Quadra did not respond to a follow-up request for comment following the release of the club’s statement.
The club’s website no longer includes Medina and Ortiz on its executive officers page. The page lists Bahlam Vigil and Michael Rouppet as “interim acting presidents.”
Vigil was previously co-vice president of political affairs for the club. Rouppet is a long-time HIV and AIDS advocate who serves as president of the board of directors for Marty’s Place Affordable Housing Corporation.
Ortiz has also been active in other local organizations. The Chinatown Community Development Center, a nonprofit that operates affordable housing, told the Chronicle last week that it had accepted Ortiz’s resignation from its board.