While embroiled in a slew of sexual harassment allegations, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner (D) is asking the city he serves for a helping hand.
NBC San Diego reported Monday that Filner wants the city cover his legal fees stemming from a lawsuit by his former employee, Irene McCormack Jackson. The San Diego City Council will discuss the item in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, according to a July 26 agenda posted online.
Jackson was the first woman to publicly accuse Filner of wrongdoing, filing an 11-page lawsuit last week that claimed he asked her to "get naked" and kiss him. Jackson is represented by high-profile attorney Gloria Allred, who has represented several clients in cases involving sex-scandalized politicians.
High-profile Democrats have spoken out against Filner, headed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
"The conduct of some of these people that we're talking about here is reprehensible," said Pelosi last week, referencing both the Filner and Anthony Weiner scandals. "It is so disrespectful of women, and what's really stunning about it is they don't even realize. They don't have a clue."
Feinstein went so far as to call on Filner to resign. She said that he of all people should know the consequences, especially after serving in U.S. Congress for two decades.
"Being the mayor of a big city, you're a role model for people," Feinstein said on Sunday. "You're either inspirational to people or you aren't."
Before You Go
