Politics & Government

Huizar's Office Denies Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

The councilmember's former deputy chief of staff alleges she was harassed and retaliated against because of her "refusal to engage in sex" with Huizar.

The office of Councilmember José Huizar has "strongly and emphatically” denied allegations by his former deputy chief of staff that she faced gender-based discrimination, harassment and retaliation because of her "refusal to engage in sex" with the politician.

According to a report in the Los Angeles Times late Monday, CD 14 Director of Communications Rick Coca refuted allegations made by Francine Godoy, who worked as Huizar’s deputy chief until four months ago, that she was subjected to “sexual harassment (quid pro quo and hostile work environment) and retaliated against when I refused advances" by the councilmember.

Godoy’s allegations are contained in a June 7 complaint filed with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing as well as in a complaint filed against the City of Los Angeles, the Times reports, quoting Coca as saying that Huizar is surprised to hear about the two-month-old complaint and that “he intends to fully cooperate with the city in any investigation of this matter."

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Godoy, 33, reportedly joined Huizar’s office in 2006 at an annual salary of $47,000 that rose to $133,000 this past January. She became a principal project coordinator for the city’s sanitation bureau, earning $119,000, after leaving Huizar’s office four months ago, according to the Times

Because of the potential for litigation, Huizar is unable to make any further or direct comments, Coca told the Times, adding: "In the meantime, however, the councilmember remains focused on delivering top-notch city services to the constituents of the 14th Council District" that includes Eagle Rock and the northern portion of Highland Park as well as downtown L.A.

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City Council President Herb Wesson told the paper that he has instructed the city's Personnel Department to assemble a five-member Special Committee on Investigative Oversight to review the charges against Huizar.

Click here to read the full Times story.


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