Bob Filner Sentenced To 3 Years Probation, 3 Months Home Confinement

Bob Filner Sentenced To 3 Years Probation, 3 Months Home Confinement
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Former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner was sentenced to three years probation and three months home confinement Monday, according to ABC's 10 News.

Filner pleaded guilty in October to felony false imprisonment and two misdemeanor counts of battery, charges related to placing a woman in a headlock, kissing another woman and grabbing the buttocks of a third.

ABC 10 News also reports Filner will be barred from ever seeking or holding public office again, and will be required to undergo mental health treatment.

Filner, who resigned in August, apologized in a statement to the court and said that he looks "forward to making further contributions to the city that I love."

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Bob Filner was sentenced Monday to three months of home confinement and three years of probation for harassing women while he was mayor of San Diego, completing the fall of the former 10-term congressman who barely a year ago achieved his long dream of being elected leader of the nation's eighth-largest city.

Filner, who resigned amid widespread allegations of sexual harassment, pleaded guilty in October to one felony and two misdemeanors for placing a woman in a headlock, kissing another woman and grabbing the buttocks of a third.

Superior Court Judge Robert Trentacosta's sentence was the same as what prosecutors recommended in a plea agreement with Filner. The 71-year-old former mayor faced a maximum penalty of three years in prison for the felony and one year in jail for each misdemeanor.

The judge specified the Filner may not seek or hold elective office during the term of his probation.

Filner, who is divorced, was convicted of felony false imprisonment for restraining a woman against her will at a fund-raiser on March 6 and applying additional force when she resisted. His attorney, Jerry Coughlan, has said it was a headlock.

The misdemeanor counts of battery were for kissing a woman on the lips without permission at a "Meet the Mayor" event on April 6 and grabbing another woman's buttocks at a May 25 rally to clean up Fiesta Island in Mission Bay. None of the victims have been identified.

Nearly 20 women have publicly identified themselves as targets of Filner's unwanted advances, including kissing, groping and requests for dates. His accusers include a retired Navy rear admiral, a San Diego State University dean and a great-grandmother who volunteers answering senior citizens' questions at City Hall.

The charges do not involve Filner's former communications director, Irene McCormack Jackson, who expedited the mayor's downfall by becoming the first to go public with sexual harassment allegations in July. She has filed a lawsuit against Filner and the city, claiming her boss asked her to work without panties, demanded kisses, told her he wanted to see her naked and dragged her in a headlock while whispering in her ear.

Filner disappeared from public view after leaving office Aug. 30, less than nine months into a four-year term. He said little when he resurfaced six weeks later to plead guilty in San Diego Superior Court, but his attorney told reporters then that the former mayor "profusely apologizes" for his behavior.

The former mayor devoted himself to jogging, getting therapy and talking to friends after leaving office, his attorney said in October. Television news crews hoping for a glimpse of Filner were disappointed when he showed up at jail a day earlier than expected for booking.

Filner was elected San Diego's first Democratic mayor in 20 years, promising to put neglected neighborhoods ahead of entrenched downtown business interests. Two city councilmen seeking to replace him in a special election runoff — Republican Kevin Faulconer and Democrat David Alvarez — have embraced Filner's neighborhoods-first mantra while scarcely mentioning the former mayor by name.

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Before You Go

Political Sex Scandals
Anthony Weiner's Online Romance (01 of06)
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Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) was forced to resign following a lengthy media investigation triggered after he accidentally sent his Twitter followers a picture of himself in his underwear.In the aftermath of the initial tweet, Weiner claimed that his account had been hacked, but subsequent developments showed that he had contacted a number of other women online, at times engaging in raunchy conversation.
Eliot Spitzer Client Number 9(02 of06)
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In March 2008, a federal investigation revealed that Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-N.Y.) had habitually patronized a high-priced prostitution agency, spending up to $80,000 on the service.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mistress(03 of06)
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Revelations surfaced earlier this year that the former California governor and movie star had fathered a child with his maid during an affair that took place during the 1990s. The child is now in his teens.In a statement to the Los Angeles Times in May, Schwarzenegger confessed to the relationship:
"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger said Monday night in a statement issued to The Times in response to questions. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."
Eric Massa's Tickling(04 of06)
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Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) resigned in 2010 following mounting questions about his conduct that culminated in a House ethics investigation of harassment allegations brought forth by a male aide.Shortly after stepping down, Massa appeared on Glenn Beck's television show and described part of an incident that had triggered the charges."Not only did I grope him, I tickled him until he couldn't breathe," he said. "I should have never allowed myself to be as familiar with my staff as I was... I own this misbehavior."
David Wu's Alleged Teen Encounter (05 of06)
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On July 26, Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) announced that he would step down pending the conclusion of ongoing negotiations to raise the debt ceiling.Wu, who had fielded prior criticism for erratic behavior in the run up to his successful 2010 reelection -- he emailed staffers a picture showing him wearing a tiger costume -- is currently facing allegations that he engaged in an unwanted sexual encounter with an 18-year-old. Wu has claimed the action was consensual.
Chris Lee's Craigslist Follies(06 of06)
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Rep. Chris Lee (R-N.Y.) took part in perhaps the shortest Washington scandal of all time earlier this year, when a report that he had sent shirtless pictures to a woman he contacted on Craigslist prompted his resignation mere hours later.