Former San Diego mayor Bob Filner has just pleaded guilty today – Tuesday, Oct. 15 – to felony false imprisonment and two counts of misdemeanor battery involving three women. The false imprisonment conviction was by violence, fraud, menace and deceit. These charges involved three women while he was in office.
As most of us know, Filner, resigned from office in late August coming under intense daily pressure to leave his post amidst allegations of sexual harassment against the former 10-term congressman. He had been on the job less than nine months into a four-year term and was San Diego’s first Democratic mayor in 20 years.
According to CBS 8 News:
… under the plea deal with prosecutors, [Filner] is expected to receive three years of probation and three months of home confinement when he is sentenced Dec. 9.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Filner will also be barred from ever seeking or holding public office. He will also be required to undergo mental health treatment while he is on probation. If he violates probation, he faces up to six months in jail. He remains free on his own recognizance until his sentencing hearing.
The victims were identified as Jane Does 1, 2, and 3, according to the state Attorney General’s Office, which announced the charges earlier Tuesday.
A grand jury had been hearing evidence against Filner, according to published reports.
Filner’s former communications director, Irene McCormack Jackson, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the former mayor.
“This conduct was not only criminal, it was also an extreme abuse of power,” Attorney General Kamala Harris said. “This prosecution is about consequence and accountability. No one is above the law.”
Filner will also be forced to surrender his mayoral pension accrued from the time of the felony offense — March 6 — through his Aug. 23 resignation.
Other conditions of Filner’s probation – according to the Attorney General’s press release, include:
In addition to the 3 years of probation, he will have home confinement for three months. As a consequence of the felony plea, Filner may not vote, serve on a jury or own a firearm while he is on probation.
Filner is required to undergo treatment as directed by a mental health professional throughout his probation. If he violates the terms of his probation, he may face up to 6 months in jail.
Fines including restitution, probation and court fees will be determined at Filner’s sentencing hearing, which will be announced today.
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There’s your due process. Case closed
Yikes.
Just to point out one last time, Filner’s behavior was his demise. It wasn’t a “lynch mob” or PapaDoug conspiracy but just plain old bad behavior. Problem was though Filner got away with this behavior when he was a Congressman and the good old progressive boys covered it up. Yes, character matters people.
Thomas, it was both; it was both Filner’s behavior and that there was a pack of wolves out to get him. How could you deny that after reviewing the daily fishwrap for months before the scandal became public?
So the daily fishwrap was responsible for Filner’s criminal behavior? Geez, you set a pretty high bar for responsiblity.
Ol’ bearded one: is that what I said? I think not. Re-read what I said before sticking beard in mouth.
Yah, that’s what you said; imparting responsibility on the paper in addition to filner. The “wolves” were immaterial to his downfall and felony conviction. It’s a complete non-sequitur.
Uh Frank, if Filner didn’t behave in the way he did there would of been nothing to go after. Get it? Filner’s bad behavior was his demise. What? Should illegal behavior from politicians and leaders be tolerated just because you line up with their policies? Get real Frank. I’m sure you jumped all over Duke when he got busted right?
Compare this case to Senator “Wide-Stance” Larry Craig who solicited sex in an airport men’s restroom, pleaded guilty and yet continued to serve and finish out his term. Conduct unbecoming to a United States Senator in public but without a lynch mob to oust, Craig received a free pass in contrast. Agreed with Frank, Filner’s political enemies circling the wagons was a major factor in Filner’s demise and a story in itself.