Senator Boxer: SD mayor 'betrayed' constituents

SAN DIEGO -- Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer sent a letter to San Diego Mayor Bob Filner on Friday, confronting her former fellow congressman to urge him to resign over sexual harassment allegations against him.

Boxer said in the letter to the 70-year-old Democratic mayor that the accusations have "shaken me to the core."

Boxer pointed out that she already made a public call for his resignation: "But now I must say this directly to you: Bob, you must resign because you have betrayed the trust of the women you have victimized, the San Diegans you represent and the people you have worked with throughout your decades in public life."

Numerous local, state and federal elected officials have called for the mayor to resign.

Filner so far has refused and instead is undergoing two weeks of intensive behavioral therapy after acknowledging he has disrespected and intimidated women. More than a dozen women have publicly accused Filner of sexual harassment, including the mayor's former communications director who has filed a lawsuit.

"Let me be clear: The latest revelations regarding your behavior toward women recovering from sexual assault - women who desperately need our help - have shaken me to my core," Boxer wrote. She later added: "Bob, you have already hurt so many people. To avoid hurting your victims and the people of San Diego more than you already have, you should step down immediately."

Filner's office did not respond to a request for comment on the letter.

Here's Boxer's letter to Filner:

Dear Bob, We've known each other for a long time, and have worked together on many issues that are important to the people of San Diego  from creating jobs to protecting the environment to helping our veterans.

So I am speaking to you now on a personal and professional level, and asking you to step down as mayor and get the help you need as a private citizen.

I have already said publicly that you should resign your office as mayor because of the shocking revelations by many women about your behavior toward them.

But now I must say this directly to you: Bob, you must resign because you have betrayed the trust of the women you have victimized, the San Diegans you represent and the people you have worked with throughout your decades in public life.

I have worked for so many years to prevent and punish sexual violence and sexual harassment, wherever they occur. As we fight in the Senate to stand up for the men and women in our military who are survivors of sexual assault, I have heard their stories, seen the anguish in their faces, listened to them talk about the pain that will always be with them. Let me be clear: The latest revelations regarding your behavior toward women recovering from sexual assault  women who desperately need our help  have shaken me to my core.

Bob, you have already hurt so many people. To avoid hurting your victims and the people of San Diego more than you already have, you should step down immediately.

Sincerely,

Barbara

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