Following Harassment Allegations, Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra Won't Run Again

California Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) says he won't seek re-election after allegations were made that he sexually harassed a colleague.

The Los Angeles Democrat is the first political casualty in a wave of sexual harassment allegations at the Capitol.

Legislative staffer Elise Flynn Gyore says Bocanegra put his hands inside her blouse at an after-work event at a Sacramento nightclub in 2009. At the time, Bocanegra was chief of staff to then-Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes. He was later elected to the Assembly in 2012.

Gyore is now chief of staff for Sen. Richard Roth (D-Riverside).

The Los Angeles Times reported an investigation was conducted at the time and found “it is more likely than not that Bocanegra engaged in behavior that night which does not meet the Assembly’s expectations for professionalism," according to a letter from the then-chief administrative officer.

On Friday, Bocanegra issued a statement apologizing for his behavior. “This unfortunate experience I was involved in as a staffer nearly 10 years ago was something I regret and learned from," he said.

Monday he said he will immediately step down from his leadership post as majority whip, but plans to remain in office until September 2018. He said he wants to avoid a costly special election or leaving his constituents without representation.

In a statement, he said he regretted the 2009 encounter and is "very sorry."

"These news reports have since fueled persistent rumors and speculation, and I do not believe that this is in the best interest of my constituents to continue to serve next term," he wrote.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) released his own statement that suggested he had removed Bocanegra from his leadership and committee positions. Rendon also said an independent investigation was ongoing. "The decision to deny constituents the representation of their elected official can be a difficult one, but make no mistake: If the investigation affirms the allegations, I will move to immediately expel Mr. Bocanegra from the Assembly," he said.

Recently, hundreds of women working in the Capitol signed an open letter condemning an atmosphere of sexual harassment. The state Senate has hired an outside law firm to investigate the claims and the Assembly has said it will hold hearings on the issue.