Justice
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner to Resign; City Will Pay for His Legal Defense
The embattled mayor, who is facing accusations of sexual harassment from more than a dozen women, blamed a "lynch mob" of politicians and media interests for his ouster.
Speaking with emotion and seeming anger on Friday in front of the San Diego city council, Mayor Bob Filner announced he will tender his resignation, effective August 30, and apologized to the dozen-plus women who have accused him of sexual harassment.
“I had no intention to be offensive, to violate any physical or emotional space," said the 70-year-old Filner. "I was trying to establish personal relationships, but the combination of awkwardness and hubris I think led to behavior they found offensive.” He denied outright having ever sexually harassed the women, but qualified he will "try to make amends in any suitable manner."