A prominent Californian politician at the center of the growing #MeToo movement is now the subject of a widening sexual misconduct investigation, following reports she harassed and “groped” a male staffer while working in the State Assembly.
California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, an outspoken sexual harassment activist and nationwide figure in the #MeToo movement, is under fire over new allegations she inappropriately grabbed and verbally harassed a 25-year old male staffer employed by one of her legislative colleagues.
“He said she cornered him alone after the annual Assembly softball game in Sacramento as he attempted to clean up the dugout,” writes Politico. “[The staffer], who said Garcia appeared inebriated, said she began stroking his back, then squeezed his buttocks and attempted to touch his crotch before he extricated himself and quickly left.
Signed, sealed and delivered to @JerryBrownGov. Proud to have worked with @asmMelendez as she persisted on this essential legislation that was long overdue. Persistence has prevailed! #WeSaidEnough #TimesUp #Ab403 pic.twitter.com/ot9AMeNtzg
— Cristina Garcia (@AsmGarcia) February 5, 2018
Shortly after the staffer went public, others came forward accusing the California politician of inappropriate behavior.
“Hypocrisy knows no bounds and no partisanship, it crosses all party affiliations,’’ said Jessica Levinson, a professor of political ethics at Loyola Law School in California. “To the extent that these are substantiated claims, there’s a picture of Cristina Garcia as a hypocrite in the dictionary.”