Declaring he “must become a better person,” San Diego Mayor Bob Filner said Friday he will undergo two weeks of counseling after a series of women came forward and claimed the former Democratic congressman made unwanted sexual advances that included groping, kissing and offensive comments.
The allegations resulted in widespread calls for Filner to resign, plunging the nation’s eighth-largest city into political turmoil.
“Words alone are not enough,” Filner said at a nationally televised news conference. “I am responsible for my conduct, and I must take responsibility for my conduct so that such conduct does not ever happen again.”
Filner said he will receive twice-a-day briefings about city operations while participating full time in what he described as “intensive therapy” beginning Aug. 5. He said more counseling would follow.
Filner, who is 70 and divorced, did not take any questions after the announcement that was briefly interrupted by a microphone problem.
Several people who have called on Filner to resign said his plan for therapy was inadequate. They reiterated calls for the Democrat to step down.
“Two weeks of therapy may help Bob Filner with his personal problems, but it does not help to address the needs of San Diego,” said Laura Fink, a political consultant who alleges that Filner patted her buttocks at a 2005 fundraiser when she was deputy campaign manager for the then-congressman.
Kevin Faulconer, a Republican city councilman, said Filner’s “bad behavior” will not end after two weeks of therapy.
“Bob Filner should leave to receive the help he obviously needs, but he shouldn’t take the office of the mayor and San Diego city government with him.” Faulconer said. “He needs to resign and seek long-term treatment as a private citizen.”
Councilwoman Lorie Zapf, also a Republican, said Filner’s refusal to step down was “an insult to women everywhere.”
When the allegations first surfaced two weeks ago, Filner apologized for disrespecting women and said he needed help. But soon after, he said he was innocent of sexual harassment and resisted calls to leave office.
The former congressman is San Diego’s first Democratic mayor in 20 years, and he is less than eight months into a four-year term.
The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee called on Filner to resign, as did leaders of the San Diego Democratic party after seven women identified themselves as targets of his sexual harassment. Some of the claims included unwanted touching.
The mayor spoke a day after the latest accusers came forward, including a retired Navy rear admiral and a dean at San Diego State University.
Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman called Filner’s alleged behavior “reprehensible and indefensible” while urging him to step down.
A week ago, the local Democratic committee deadlocked 24-24 on the question of whether he should step down, but that vote was before any woman had publicly identified themselves as a target.
After the vote Thursday, Francine Busby, the county party chairwoman, said: “We are not here to determine guilt or innocence. However, in the best interest of the city, the San Diego County Democratic Party has voted to ask Mayor Filner to step down, seek the personal help that he needs, and allow San Diego to move forward.”
Fink welcomed the party’s position but expressed doubt at the time that Filner would resign.
“Bob Filner is one of the most stubborn people I have ever met,” she said. “I see him holding on tightly to the grip of the mayor’s office.”
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