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Politics

Calif. Assembly Speaker Perez: Filner Should Resign

Assembly Speaker John Pérez (D-Los Angeles) meets with reporters in Sacramento Monday as the Assembly returns for its final weeks of session.
Ben Adler, Capital Public Radio
Assembly Speaker John Pérez (D-Los Angeles) meets with reporters in Sacramento Monday as the Assembly returns for its final weeks of session.
Calif. Assembly Speaker Perez: Filner Should Resign
California' Assembly Speaker John Perez is the latest prominent politician to call for the resignation of San Diego's mayor.

California Assembly Speaker John Perez is the latest prominent politician to call for the resignation of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner.

Filner is being sued for sexual harassment and more than 10 women have spoken publicly about unwarranted and unwanted advances from the mayor.

Filner has resisted numerous calls to resign. Perez expressed his concerns about a fledgling recall effort that's mounting in San Diego.

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"I think a recall is probably the worst possible option in terms of the interest of the people of San Diego," said Perez at a press conference addressing the last few weeks of the legislative session. "That means it's a prolonged fight leading up to the recall and then an election to see who replaces him. I think the better resolution for the interests of the state is his resignation. "

Perez said the mayor is responsible for running the city but, he says, it is clear that Filner has been incapacitated by the ongoing scandal.

All of the accusations, statements and apologies from the key players in the developing story about allegations of sexual harassment in Mayor Bob Filner's office and calls from former mayoral supporters for his resignation.

He said it is clearly a long-running problem that is offensive and in some cases illegal. During the press conference, Perez said he can't figure out why Filner has not stepped down.

Today, Filner reportedly entered a treatment facility to get two weeks of intensive counseling.