19th woman accuses Mayor Filner of sexual harassment

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Bob Filner enters the San Diego council chambers to announce that he is resigning as mayor as his supporters applaud in the background. He was publicly accused of sexual harassment by many women. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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In the San Diego City Council chambers Bob Filner announces he is resigning as mayor. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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As Bob Filner addresses the City Council, the official San Diego city statement is projected on a screen. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria, right, listens to public comment about Mayor Bob Filner during a special meeting in the council chambers. Later in the afternoon, Filner appeared and announced his resignation, with Gloria appointed interim mayor. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

By Tony Perry

Aug. 27, 2013 6:44 PM PT

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SAN DIEGO — Another woman — the 19th — has gone public with accusations that Mayor Bob Filner sexually harassed her.

The woman had worked in Filner’s mayoral campaign and was eager to meet him at a school event in May, her attorney, Daniel Gilleon, said Tuesday.

He identified her as Marilyn, a secretary for a workers’ compensation judge. She is also an advocate for women who have victims of domestic violence, he said.

“She had always been a fan,” Gilleon said. “She went from fan to complete disdain for Filner within a matter of minutes.”

Filner pulled her toward him, kissed her forehead and slowly took a nametag off her clothing over her breast, Gilleon said. All the while, the woman, described as being in her 50s, was shocked and trying to get away, he added.

A claim may be filed with the city, Gilleon said. On Monday, Gilleon filed a claim on behalf of city employee Stacy McKenzie.

“I feel there are going to be others,” Gilleon said.

Filner’s resignation is set to take effect at 5 p.m. Friday.

The 70-year-old Democrat agreed to resign in exchange for the City Council agreeing to pay for his legal defense against a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Irene McCormack Jackson, Filner’s former director of communications.

“To all the women that I offended, I had no intention to be offensive, to violate any physical or emotional space,” Filner said after the council approved the deal. “I was trying to establish personal relationships.”

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