Bob Filner Brings Disgrace to San Diego

JACQUELYN LOI
Staff Writer

Bob Filner, the 71-year-old mayor of San Diego, has been accused of sexual harassment by 18 women. Since his first accusation on July 22, Filner officially resigned from office on August 30.

During this time, a news poll showed that 80 percent of San Diego residents desired his resignation, in addition to all nine San Diego city council members. Filner, however, still stayed in office and, as a result, he was eventually locked out of his own office. It was not until six weeks after the first accusation and three days after being locked out that Filner finally agreed to resign, but with the condition that the city of San Diego join in his legal defense in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him and the city of San Diego.

However, Mayor Bob Filner should have been pulled out of office much earlier. If he did not hold political office and was accused of sexual harassment, he would have immediately been pulled out of office to deal with the investigation until he was cleared for duty again.

Though no reasons have been specified as to why he was allowed to stay in office until he was officially resigned rather than being dismissed from his position, the fact that Filner was able to stay in office for such a long period of time is unjust.

The now disgraced mayor of San Diego may left office on Friday, August 30, but he should have been pulled out of office earlier for his ill-behaviors.