After facing numerous allegations of sexual harassment from more than a dozen women, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has decided to resign from office, according to NBC 7.
His position as mayor will end following a closed session of City Council on Friday. Filner, 70, was seen leaving his office with packed boxes on Wednesday night. At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, city officials announced they had come to a solution regarding the mayor's harassment scandal that's flooded the headlines ever since early July.
Filner reportedly admitted to the allegations of sexual harassment, saying he has disrespected and intimidated women. He announced that he needs help and will be seeking treatment to deal with the undisclosed issues.
Council president Todd Gloria will be taking Filner's place under the city charter. Within 60 to 90 days, there may be a primary special election.
Filner, a Democrat and former member of Congress, was elected in November. Since taking office, the accusations of unwanted sexual advances and harassment surfaced; a petition formed calling for Filner's resignation. Organizers of the petition claimed they would not stop until Filner left his position.
The agreement between Filner and city officials, which led to his resignation, took three days to negotiate after a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against him. Filner's former communications director, Irene McCormack Jackson, filed a lawsuit in July and accused Filner of inappropriate behavior. She claimed the mayor asked to have sex with her.
The 18th woman to report of an incident with Filner was San Diego businesswoman Diane York, who claims the mayor inappropriately touched her during a photo opportunity earlier this year. Many notable politicians have called for Filner to resign, including both of California's U.S. Senators and national party chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.
