Kersey Responds to ‘Horrific’ Filner Allegations with Call for Mayor's Resignation

Originally posted 1:13 p.m. Monday.

San Diego City Councilman Mark Kersey has joined a growing list of leaders calling for Mayor Bob Filner to resign amid sexual harassment allegations, which now include claims that he forcibly kissed women and encouraged at least one to take off her underwear at work.

"The allegations released today are horrific, and my heart goes out to those who have remained anonymous for fear of retaliation," Kersey, who represents Rancho Bernardo in District 5, said in a statement Monday after a fiery press conference where the new claims were first made public. 

"There must be a full investigation of these claims. We have a responsibility to ensure that no city worker remains silent out of fear. Although everyone is entitled to legal due process, it would be in the best interest of the City and our employees if the Mayor stepped aside to allow our workers to get their jobs done without being distracted by this circus at City Hall," he said.

Earlier in the day, Filner released a statement saying he would not resign and was entitled to due process. But hours after the statement was released,attorney Marco Gonzalez and former Councilwoman Donna Frye claimed that they had spoken to women who said Filner had grabbed them and kissed them. Gonzalez said one of his clients claimed Filner told her she would do a better job if she worked without her panties on.

Several people had asked Filner to resign before Monday's press conference with Frye and Gonzalez, which provided some of the first specific details about what had been vague allegations of sexual harassment against the mayor.

Last week, as the claims first surfaced publicly, Kersey stopped short of asking for Filner to step down, instead asking for an "immediate investigation" into the "disturbing" claims.

Council President Todd Gloria and Councilwoman Lorie Zapf are among the many leaders who have said Filner needs to leave office. Filner has admitted to intimidating and disrespecting women, but said due process would prove him innocent of the sexual harassment allegations.