San Diego Mayor Bob Filner announced his resignation, effective Aug. 30, Friday afternoon following a 7-0 City Council vote on a deal to pick up his legal bills for his agreement to step away.
Two Council members, Republican Scott Sherman and Democrat Myrtle Cole, were absent.
Filner, the city’s first Democratic mayor in 20 years, faced intense pressure over the last six weeks. More than a dozen women accused him of sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior. One of the women, former spokeswoman Irene McCormack, filed a lawsuit that ultimately led to his undoing. Filner gave a speech to a Friday afternoon Council meeting, in which he apologized to victims then delivered a fiery resignation speech in which he insisted he’ be vindicated if given due process, alleged a “lynch mob” was out to get him and detailed his accomplishments in office.
“I made promises to the people of San Diego to give everyone an equal opportunity, a chance to be heard, a seat at that table. The fight for control of this city has become vicious and bloody,” Filner said, his voice breaking at times and rising in anger at others. “Unfortunately on my own I can’t afford to continue to this battle, even though I know that if given due process I would be vindicated. It’s not my nature to walk away from a fight.”
We’ll have more on the resignation later today.
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