A Republican State Assemblyman resigned today after reports he was having an affair with a lobbyist. Mike Duvall was Vice-chair of a committee that handled utility-related legislation and the lobbyist apparently worked for a utility company.
A Los Angeles TV station aired video of Duvall making graphic comments about the sexual activity before a committee hearing. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass has called for an ethics investigation. She said Duvall chose to step down immediately out of respect for the Assembly.
“We have such huge issues before the legislature and for this to become a distraction, he felt his responsibility was to step aside and to resign and go home,” said Bass.
In a statement on his campaign website, Duvall said his “inappropriate comments” had become a major distraction for the Assembly. Duvall represents Orange County.
Governor Schwarzenegger has two weeks to call for a special election to fill Duvall’s seat.
