Filner Returns To City Hall After Three-Week Absence

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Embattled Mayor Bob Filner today made his first appearance at the City Administration Building in more than three weeks, prior to the resumption of mediation over his political future in San Diego.

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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.

While the mayor's office refused comment over whether Filner was present at City Hall, his departure to go to the negotiating session was captured by television news crews.

His last public appearance was a July 26 news conference in which he announced he would enter an inpatient behavioral therapy program. Some witnesses reported seeing him at City Hall four days later.

Mediation has been taking place in a downtown high-rise. The participants, other than Filner, have included City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, City Council President Todd Gloria and Councilman Kevin Faulconer.

While sessions Monday and Tuesday began in the morning, today's meeting didn't begin until mid-afternoon.

After talks broke up Tuesday, Goldsmith said participants had been ordered by retired federal Judge J. Lawrence Irving to not publicly reveal the substance of negotiations. He also said mediation "is a long process.''