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Morgan Rose Accuses Bob Filner Of Sexual Harassment

Third Woman Comes Forward With Sexual Harassment Claims Against Mayor

A third woman is publicly accusing San Diego Mayor Bob Filner of sexual harrassment, KPBS reported Wednesday.

Morgan Rose, a psychologist for the San Diego Unified School District, told KPBS that she first met Filner in January, while he was a Democratic U.S. congressman. Rose met with Filner to discuss American Angel's Campaign, a parenting initiative she founded. After meeting with Rose and her team, Filner requested a private meeting with the psychologist.

According to Rose, the two met at a restaurant in San Diego, where the then-congressman said he had brought her campaign to First Lady Michelle Obama's attention.

KPBS reports:

Rose’s initial excitement turned to confusion when she says Congressman Filner started staring at her. He then allegedly said, “your eyes have bewitched me.”

Rose states that Congressman Filner stood up, walked over to her side and sat down next to her and wanted to kiss her.

“He tried to move my face towards his to kiss me on the mouth,” Rose said. She turned away from him and remembers negotiating for him to stop.

According to Rose, Filner attempted to kiss her four times.

Rose is the third woman to come forward with allegations against Filner. On Tuesday, political consultant Laura Fink said the mayor had patted her "posterior" during a fundraiser. And on Monday, Filner's former communications director Irene McCormack Jackson filed a lawsuit against her old boss, accusing Filner of asking her to "get naked" and kiss him.

"The past six months turned out to be the worst time of my entire working life," McCormack Jackson said in a news conference. "I had to work and do my job in an atmosphere where women were viewed by Mayor Filner as sexual objects or stupid idiots. I saw him place his hands where they did not belong on numerous women."

Filner has denied the claims, insisting that he will not step down as mayor.

"I am saddened by the charges that were leveled against me today," Filner said in a Monday statement. "Once due process is allowed to unfold, I am certain there will be a better understanding of this situation."

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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.
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