Bob Filner

Filner was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. He is Jewish,{{cite web|access-date=2019-08-27|title=Jewish candidate elected mayor of San Diego|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-candidate-elected-san-diego-mayor/|website=The Times of Israel}} the son of Sarah F. and Joseph H. Filner.{{cite web|title=Jewish Politicians in California|url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/CA/jewish.html|website=The Political Graveyard|access-date=June 2, 2013}} His father was a labor union organizer, U.S. Army veteran and later international metal trader.{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Obituaries|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/07/12/obituaries/ec078538-7de7-4b8b-a090-8468933f9137/|date=July 12, 2000}}

He attended Cornell University, where he worked on The Cornell Daily Sun, a student newspaper, and took part in civil rights demonstrations. In June 1961, after pulling into the bus station in Jackson, Mississippi, as a Freedom Rider, Filner was arrested for "disturbing the peace and inciting a riot." He refused to post bond for his release and remained incarcerated for two months.{{cite web|last=Rosenberg|first=Paul|title=Congressmember Bob Filner: Confronting racist Tea Party violence on election night|url=http://www.openleft.com/diary/20977/congressmember-bob-filner-confronting-racist-tea-party-violence-on-election-night|website=OpenLeft|access-date=January 7, 2013|date=November 30, 2010|archive-date=July 15, 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715072252/http://www.openleft.com/diary/20977/congressmember-bob-filner-confronting-racist-tea-party-violence-on-election-night}}

He graduated from Cornell in 1963 with a degree in chemistry, and earned his doctorate in history of science from Cornell six years later.

While completing his PhD, he moved to San Diego, becoming a history professor at San Diego State University for more than 20 years.

Filner worked for U.S. Senator Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota in 1975 and for Minnesota congressman Don Fraser in 1976. He also worked for Congressman Jim Bates from the San Diego area in 1984.{{cite news|title=Bob Filner|url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/F000116|work=U.S. Congress Votes Database|publisher=Washington Post|access-date=December 9, 2012}}

His elective career began in 1979, when his opposition to the closing of a neighborhood school led him to run for the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, defeating a longtime incumbent. His "back to basics" approach to education won him wide praise, and his colleagues elected him president of the board in 1982.{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/apr/14/treatment-by-school-board-launched-filner-into/#|title=School board snub fired Filner up for politics|last=Gustafson|first=Craig|date=April 14, 2012|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=December 29, 2012}} He was elected to the San Diego City Council in 1987 and was reelected in 1991; his colleagues elected him deputy mayor of San Diego.

File:Obama Little League.jpg champions meeting Barack Obama]]

California gained seven seats after the 1990 census, and one of them was the 50th District in south San Diego (renumbered the 51st District after the 2000 census). The district is one of the most ethnically diverse in the nation, including much of San Diego's southern section, the cities of Chula Vista and National City and all of Imperial County. It includes most of California's border with Mexico, except for the city of Imperial Beach. In 1992, Filner ran in a five-way Democratic primary for the seat and won a narrow victory. One of his primary opponents was his former boss, Jim Bates, who had lost his seat in a sexual harassment scandal in 1990{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-28-me-2663-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|title=Apologetic Bates Plans Comeback|first=Barry M.|last=Horstman|date=September 28, 1991}} and whose home had been drawn into the district.

Another opponent was veteran state Senator Wadie Deddeh, who was term-limited. Filner defeated Deddeh by a narrow margin, with Bates finishing third place in the primary. The district was almost 40% Hispanic (redistricting in 2000 made it 53% Hispanic) and heavily Democratic, and his victory in November (with 57 percent of the vote) was a foregone conclusion.{{cite web|title=Rep. Bob Filner (D)|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/2010/person/bob-filner-ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111111137/http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/2010/person/bob-filner-ca/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2012|work=National Journal Almanac|publisher=National Journal|access-date=December 9, 2012}} He was reelected nine times with no substantive Republican opposition. He ran unopposed in 1998. He chose not to run for re-election to Congress in 2012, opting instead to run for mayor of San Diego. He resigned from the House of Representatives on December 3, 2012, in order to take office as Mayor of San Diego.{{cite news|last=Joseph|first=Cameron|title=Rep. Filner resigns from Congress|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/135999-rep-filner-resigns-from-congress/|access-date=January 7, 2013|newspaper=The Hill|date=December 3, 2012}}

Filner had a bitter rivalry with Juan Vargas, another Democratic politician who ran against Filner in the Democratic primary three times.{{cite news|title=Rep. Filner beats Democratic rival in latest rematch|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20060607-0052-7n7duke.html|access-date=May 15, 2017|newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune|date=June 7, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905030428/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20060607-0052-7n7duke.html|archive-date=September 5, 2008}} Filner and Vargas accused each other of corruption. However, in the 2012 mayoral race, Vargas endorsed Filner for Mayor of San Diego and Vargas was elected to Filner's seat in Congress.{{cite news|last=Dillon|first=Liam|title=The Politics of Bob Filner's Personality|url=https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/mayor-2012/the-politics-of-bob-filners-personality/|access-date=January 7, 2013|newspaper=Voice of San Diego|date=July 30, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/us-rep/district/51|title=U.S. House of Representatives District 51 - Districtwide Results|work=California Secretary of State|access-date=November 7, 2012}}

Filner was a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.{{cite web|title=Bob Filner on the Issues|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Bob_Filner.htm|publisher=On the Issues|access-date=December 9, 2012}} He was also a member of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus and International Conservation Caucus. He was one of the 31 House Democrats who voted to not count the 20 electoral votes from Ohio in the 2004 presidential election, despite Republican President George Bush winning the state by 118,457 votes.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/electoral.vote/|title=Bush carries Electoral College after delay|date=January 6, 2005|work=CNN|access-date=December 29, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 7: On Agreeing to the Objection|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll007.xml|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives|access-date=December 24, 2012|date=January 6, 2005}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/politics/ohio-recount-gives-a-smaller-margin-to-bush.html|title = Ohio Recount Gives a Smaller Margin to Bush|newspaper = The New York Times|date = December 29, 2004|last1 = Salvato|first1 = Albert}} In 2008, Filner sponsored a resolution, passed by the House of Representatives, in support of National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day.{{cite web|title=AMT Day Passes House!|date=May 2008 |url=http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/10404757/amt-day-passes-house|publisher=AviationPros.com|access-date=December 9, 2012}} While in congress, Filner was known for his combative personality, and for personally dealing with constituent issues.{{cite news|last=Dillon|first=Liam|title=Filner, Bob: The Definitive Entry on San Diego's New Mayor|url=http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/government/article_dc0ee78c-4a2c-11e2-9e4a-001a4bcf887a.html|access-date=January 7, 2013|newspaper=Voice of San Diego|date=December 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123025215/http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/government/article_dc0ee78c-4a2c-11e2-9e4a-001a4bcf887a.html|archive-date=January 23, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

;Veterans issues

Filner served on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and ascended to the chairmanship when the Democrats took over the House of Representatives after the 2006 election. As chairman, Filner advocated for funding for veterans benefits, increased spending on veterans healthcare, and a new GI bill for veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq. Filner stayed on as ranking Democrat on the committee after the Republicans retook the House in the 2010 election.

;Filipino issues

Filner's district in south San Diego had one of the largest populations of Filipino Americans in the country, leading Filner to focus on issues relevant to the Philippines while in congress, especially Filipino veterans. Filner's accomplishments included legislation allowing Filipino veterans to maintain a small stipend from the government if they moved back to the Philippines, burial benefits, and access to VA clinics. In 2009 Filner brokered a deal securing $198 million in pension benefits for Filipino veterans who had served for the United States in World War II in the form of a $15,000 lump sum payment as part of the 2009 stimulus bill.{{cite news|last=Dillon|first=Liam|title=What Bob Filner Did In Washington D.C.|url=http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/government/article_f8dacfb4-f3da-11e1-8418-0019bb2963f4.html|access-date=December 24, 2012|newspaper=Voice of San Diego|date=September 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107181845/http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/government/article_f8dacfb4-f3da-11e1-8418-0019bb2963f4.html|archive-date=November 7, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} In February 2009, Rep. Antonio Diaz filed a bill in the Philippine House of Representatives seeking to confer honorary Filipino citizenship on Filner and U.S. Senators Daniel Inouye, Daniel Akaka, and Ted Stevens for their role in securing the passage of this legislation.{{cite news|author=Leila Salaverria|title=4 US solons as honorary Filipinos|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20090224-190786/4-US-solons-as-honorary-Filipinos|date=February 24, 2009|access-date=March 20, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227074635/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20090224-190786/4-US-solons-as-honorary-Filipinos|archive-date=February 27, 2009}}

;Airline worker controversy

On August 20, 2007, Filner was involved in an altercation with a United Airlines employee at Dulles International Airport after he became upset that his baggage had not yet arrived on a baggage carousel. Filner entered the baggage claim office and became irritated when the employee was busy helping another customer and asked the congressman to wait his turn. It was at this point that it is alleged that Filner attempted to enter the employee-only area of the office. He was asked to leave the area several times by airline employees but refused to do so until airport police were called in.

Filner was on his way to visit troops in Iraq at the time of the incident. He released a statement saying "suffice it to say now, that the story that has appeared in the press is factually incorrect and the charges are ridiculous".{{cite news|title=Rep. Bob Filner Charged With Assault on Virginia Airport Worker|author=Molly Hooper|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/rep-bob-filner-charged-with-assault-on-virginia-airport-worker|newspaper=Fox News|date=August 20, 2007|access-date=May 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207094401/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293834,00.html|archive-date=February 7, 2011|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} He was later charged with assault and battery.{{cite news|title=Congressman Bob Filner Served Court Summons on Assault Charge|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/congressman-bob-filner-served-court-summons-on-assault-charge|newspaper=Fox News|date=September 4, 2007|access-date=May 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703184043/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295701,00.html|archive-date=July 3, 2011|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} Filner pleaded guilty in an Alford plea to reduced charges of trespassing.{{cite news|title=Va. airline employee rips Filner apology|author=Dana Wilkie|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071129/news_1m29filner.html|newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune|date=November 29, 2007|access-date=May 5, 2011}} The House Ethics Committee began a probe into the event,{{cite news|title=House Ethics Committee Opens Probe into Filner's Airport Altercation|author=Paul Kane|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/09/house_ethics_opens_probe_into.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011211035/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/09/house_ethics_opens_probe_into.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 19, 2007|access-date=May 5, 2011}} but it was later dropped.{{cite news|title=House ethics gives Filner mild rebuke |author=Patrick O'Conner|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/1207/House_ethics_gives_Filner_mild_rebuke.html|newspaper=Politico|date=December 21, 2007|access-date=May 5, 2011}}

;People's Mujahedin of Iran

Filner, along with several senior United States officials, argued that the People's Mujahedin of Iran, also known as the MEK, should have its designation as a terrorist group removed. Filner considered the MEK, a major member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, an ally against the current Iranian regime.{{cite news|last=McGreal|first=Chris|title=MEK supporters push for recognition by US as official Iranian opposition|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/28/mek-supporters-us-iranian-opposition|access-date=December 9, 2012|newspaper=The Guardian|date=September 28, 2012|location=London}} The U.S. Department of State lifted the MEK's designation as a terrorist organization as of September 28, 2012.{{Federal Register |77 |60741}}

• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
• Subcommittee on Aviation
• Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
• Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Ranking Member)

{{Main|2012 San Diego mayoral election}}

File:Bob Filner Press Conference About Veterans.jpgFilner announced on June 8, 2011, that he would be a candidate for mayor of San Diego in the 2012 election{{cite news|title=Filner in it to win it|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt8Wfc2D3SI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Kt8Wfc2D3SI| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=December 21, 2012|newspaper=KUSI News|date=June 9, 2011}}{{cbignore}} and would not run for re-election to Congress. In the primary on June 5, 2012, he placed second with 30.7% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/voters/results/election.xml|title=Official primary election results|date=June 5, 2012|work=San Diego County Registrar of Voters|access-date=July 13, 2012}} He faced city councilmember Carl DeMaio in the November 2012 runoff election. Filner defeated DeMaio, 52.5% to 47.5%.{{cite web|url=http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/voters/results/transform.htm?paramVal1=election.xsl|title=Presidential General Election, Tuesday, November 6, 2012|work=San Diego County Registrar of Voters|access-date=December 5, 2012}} Filner, age 70, won as San Diego's first elected Democratic mayor since 1992 and only its second since 1971.{{cite news|last=Spagat|first=Elliot|title=Filner claims victory as next San Diego mayor|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_21946962/tight-race-contest-san-diego-mayor|access-date=December 24, 2012|newspaper=Silicon Valley Mercury News|date=November 7, 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/DeMaio-Holds-Slim-Lead-on-Filner-in-Mayoral-Race-177599411.html|title=Unofficial Election Results Show Filner Ahead of DeMaio in Mayoral Race|date=November 6, 2012|work=San Diego 6: The CW|access-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110060644/http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/DeMaio-Holds-Slim-Lead-on-Filner-in-Mayoral-Race-177599411.html|archive-date=November 10, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

In his first speech as mayor, Filner promised to focus on rebuilding the neighborhoods of San Diego, improving city services, increasing staffing for public safety, bringing jobs to the city, and developing stronger regional ties with Tijuana.{{cite news|last=Halverstadt|first=Lisa|title=Where Candidate Filner Wavered, Mayor Filner Delivers|url=http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/government/article_ba8d495c-3daf-11e2-84e7-0019bb2963f4.html|access-date=January 7, 2013|newspaper=Voice of San Diego|date=December 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207024825/http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/government/article_ba8d495c-3daf-11e2-84e7-0019bb2963f4.html|archive-date=December 7, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

In January 2013, following a meeting between Filner and the San Diego chapter of Americans for Safe Access, Filner instructed the San Diego Police Department and city code compliance officers to stop enforcing codes against marijuana dispensaries and stop forwarding cases to the San Diego City Attorney's Office.{{cite news|title=Filner halts medpot crackdown: Federal crackdown not affected by mayor's action|author=Craig Gustafson|url=http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/10/filner-stops-prosecution-medical-marijuana|newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune|date=January 10, 2013|access-date=January 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021080244/http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/10/filner-stops-prosecution-medical-marijuana/|archive-date=October 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=San Diego halts all actions against marijuana dispensaries|author=Tony Perry|url=http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-74010723|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 13, 2013|access-date=January 15, 2013}} In April 2013, Filner proposed a new ordinance to restore permanent legal status to dispensaries, but the City Council rejected it and suggested that the City Attorney draft a new ordinance in its place.{{cite news|last=Riffel|first=James R.|title=Filner 'Disappointed' With City Council's Medical Marijuana Decision|url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/apr/23/filner-disappointed-city-councils-medical-marijuan/|access-date=June 2, 2013|newspaper=KPBS - City News Service|date=April 23, 2013}} Meanwhile, federal agencies continued to raid and prosecute dispensaries within city limits.{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Scott|title=San Diego's Marijuana Confusion Hits a New High|url=http://voiceofsandiego.org/2013/04/23/san-diegos-marijuana-confusion-hits-a-new-high|access-date=June 2, 2013|newspaper=Voice of San Diego|date=April 23, 2013}}

In February 2013, Filner raised controversy by not authorizing funding of the Tourism Marketing District, a hotelier-run organization charged with promoting San Diego as a tourist destination that is funded by a 2 percent surcharge on hotel rooms. In 2012, the San Diego City Council agreed to renew the District for 39 1/2 years, but outgoing mayor Jerry Sanders did not sign the agreement before leaving office.{{cite news|last=Weisberg|first=Lori|title=Tourism marketing funds still in limbo|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/31/tourism-revenues-|access-date=June 2, 2013|newspaper=U-T San Diego|date=January 31, 2013}} Filner publicly withheld his signature on the agreement, wanting a series of concessions that would raise hotel worker salaries, protect the City from liability, and direct more of the funds collected to be used by the City of San Diego. The District subsequently filed suit against the Mayor to enforce the agreement, but Judge Timothy Taylor ruled that Filner had the discretion not to sign.{{cite news|last=Gustafson|first=Craig|title=Mayor vs. city attorney, Round 2|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/feb/20/filner-goldsmith-feud-tourist-tax|access-date=June 2, 2013|newspaper=U-T San Diego|date=February 20, 2013}} After this ruling, Filner and the hoteliers agreed to a compromise and Filner signed the contract. However, in late May 2013 Filner temporarily withheld payments to the District until it agreed to provide upfront funding for a centennial celebration for Balboa Park.{{cite news|last=Perry|first=Tony|title=A liberal mayor takes on the San Diego establishment|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-san-diego-mayor-20130602,5515275,2347861,full.story|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629151752/http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-san-diego-mayor-20130602,5515275,2347861,full.story|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2013|access-date=June 2, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 2, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Cubbison|first=Gene|title=Mayor, TMD Cease Fire In Tourism Funding Spat|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Mayor-TMD-Cease-Fire-In-Tourism-Funding-Spat-209754991.html|access-date=June 2, 2013|newspaper=NBC 7 San Diego|date=June 1, 2013}}

On July 11, 2013, three of Filner's long-time supporters held a press conference to call for Filner's resignation as mayor, based on numerous unspecified but "credible" allegations that he had sexually harassed women. KPBS-FM said that it had been investigating reports of sexual harassment of female staff members for several months, and that the complaints included "inappropriate comments, kissing and groping".{{cite news|url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/jul/12/mayors-mea-culpa-wont-satisfy-former-supporters/|title=Filner: 'A Fair, Independent Investigation Will Support My Innocence'|date=July 12, 2013|work=KPBS News|access-date=July 14, 2013}} Later that day Filner issued a video statement apologizing and saying that he was seeking professional help to change his behavior.[http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Jul/11/filner-backers-news-conference-resign/?#article-copy Filner apologizes, gets professional help], San Diego Union Tribune, July 11, 2013 The next day Filner told reporters that he had treated women poorly and sometimes intimidated them, but insisted that a "fair and independent investigation" would clear him of sexual harassment charges.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-filner-20130713,0,3378904.story|title=San Diego politicians, journalists abuzz over Mayor Filner's troubles|last=Perry|first=Tony|date=July 12, 2013|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 14, 2013}}

On July 12, Filner's chief of staff, Vince Hall, announced his resignation, effective immediately. On July 24, Filner's new chief of staff Tony Buckles, his former congressional chief of staff, resigned after only 10 days on the job and was replaced by Lee Burdick, a woman who had been serving as deputy chief of staff.{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jul/24/3rd-woman-says-san-diego-mayor-made-sexual-advance/|title=3rd woman says San Diego mayor made sexual advance|last=Spagat|first=Elliott|date=July 24, 2013|agency=Associated Press|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=July 25, 2013}}

On July 15, the same three former supporters held another press conference, describing in more detail charges by women who said they had been forcibly kissed, groped, and subjected to sexually suggestive comments by Filner; the alleged but unidentified victims include a mayoral staffer, a campaign volunteer and a constituent.{{cite news|url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/jul/16/filner-defiant-details-alleged-sexual-harassment-e/|title=Filner Defiant as Details of Alleged Sexual Harassment Emerge|last=Dirks|first=Sandhya|date=July 16, 2013|work=KPBS-FM|access-date=July 16, 2013}} Filner repeated that he had done nothing wrong and would not resign.

On July 22, 2013, attorney Gloria Allred announced at a press conference that her firm had filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Filner on behalf of the mayor's former communications director.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/gloria-allred-harassment-lawsuit-bob-filner-94566.html|title=Gloria Allred filing harassment lawsuit vs. Bob Filner |last=Elliott|first=Rebecca|date=July 22, 2013|work=Politico|access-date=July 22, 2013}} By August 26, 19 women{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/aug/26/parks-worker-filner-claim/|title=Parks worker files claim against Filner|last=Seibert|first=Trent|date=August 26, 2013|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=August 27, 2013}} had publicly claimed that Filner had sexually harassed them, including a retired admiral,{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/bob-filner-san-diego-sexual-harassment-charges-94791.html|title=Four more women accuse Filner|website=Politico |date=July 26, 2013 |access-date=January 31, 2018}} a Marilyn Monroe impersonator who appeared at one of his fundraisers,[https://web.archive.org/web/20130803055415/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-filner-san-diego-marilyn-monroe-20130802,0,5959156.story "Filner sex harassment: Marilyn Monroe lookalike is 9th accuser]," Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2013 a 67-year-old great-grandmother who worked for the city,{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/bob-filner-great-grandmother-95579.html|title=Great-grandmother accuses Bob Filner|last=Elliott|first=Rebecca|date=August 15, 2013|work=Politico|access-date=August 16, 2013}} a nurse who said Filner demanded a date in exchange for helping a Marine who had suffered a brain injury and PTSD during service in Iraq,[http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/08/06/filner-demanded-a-date-in-exchange-for-helping-an-injured-vet-says-nurse/ "Filner demanded a date in exchange for helping an injured vet, says nurse,"] MSNBC. Retrieved August 7, 2013. and several female members of the U.S. armed forces who had been raped during their service.[http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/08/07/filners-behavior-fit-a-pattern-you-dont-have-it-in-you-to-fight-back/ "‘When I got to nine, I stopped asking’: Filner and the pattern of preying on rape victims,"] MSNBC. Retrieved August 7, 2013. In the last two instances, Filner's contact with the women stemmed from his position at the time as ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.

In the ensuing weeks, calls for Filner's resignation came from Democratic U.S. senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, representatives Susan Davis and Scott Peters, DNC chairwoman and U.S Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz,{{cite web|title=Wasserman Schultz calls on San Diego mayor to resign|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/157555-wasserman-schultz-calls-on-san-diego-mayor-to-resign/|work=The Hill|date=July 26, 2013|access-date=July 26, 2013}} California State Assembly members Toni Atkins and Lorena Gonzalez,{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jul/15/filner-democrats-meeting/|title=County Dems to discuss Filner Thursday|last=Walker|first=Mark|date=July 15, 2013|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=July 16, 2013}} Nancy Pelosi,{{cite news|last1=Larson|first1=Leslie|title=Nancy Pelosi calls for San Diego mayor to step down|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/nancy-pelosi-calls-san-diego-mayor-step-article-1.1428653|work=New York Daily News|date=August 16, 2013}} and all nine members of the City Council.{{cite news|url=http://www.10news.com/news/chief-of-staff-lee-burdick-says-mayor-bob-filner-entered-therapy-a-week-early-completed-program|title=Chief of Staff Lee Burdick says Mayor Bob Filner entered therapy a week early, completed program|date=August 9, 2013|work=ABC 10 News|access-date=August 9, 2013}}

On July 26, 2013, Filner announced that he planned to take a leave of absence "to undergo two weeks of intensive therapy” starting August 5.{{cite web|title=Mayor Bob Filner taking time off for 'intensive therapy'|url=http://www.10news.com/news/investigations/team-10-sources-mayor-bob-filner-may-take-time-off-for-therapy-072613|publisher=News 10|access-date=July 26, 2013}}{{cite news|title=San Diego Mayor Bob Filner goes into therapy|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-diego-mayor-bob-filner-press-conference-20130726,0,917163.story|newspaper=LA Times|access-date=July 26, 2013|first=Tony|last=Perry|date=July 26, 2013}} He started the treatment but ended it early on August 10, according to his attorney.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-sandiego-filner-idUSBRE97901T20130810|title=San Diego mayor's two-week sexual harassment therapy ends early|last=Graham|first=Marty|date=August 10, 2013|work=Reuters|access-date=August 10, 2013|archive-date=August 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810113805/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/10/us-usa-sandiego-filner-idUSBRE97901T20130810|url-status=live}}

On July 29, 2013, Filner asked the city of San Diego to pay his legal fees for a sexual harassment lawsuit regarding his former communications director. The city council voted not to do so,{{cite web|title=San Diego Mayor Bob Filner Asks City to Pay for Legal Fees|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/San-Diego-Mayor-Bob-Filner-Asks-City-to-Pay-for-Legal-Fees-217492761.html?cid=social10266914|work=NBC News| date=July 30, 2013 |access-date=July 30, 2013}} and in fact to sue Filner for any costs incurred by the city due to claims filed against him and the city.{{cite news|last1=Camia|first1=Catalina|last2=Welch|first2=William M.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/07/30/filner-san-diego-sex-harassment-legal-fees/2599091/|title=San Diego council nixes mayor's request to pay legal fees|work=USA Today|access-date=July 30, 2013|date=July 30, 2013|agency=Contributing: Associated Press}} The City Council later reversed itself as part of a negotiated agreement with Filner.

Federal, state and local investigators looked into several other issues involving Filner.{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/aug/10/san-diego-bob-filner-investigation-fbi-sheriff/|title=Bodyguards: Filner took women to hotel|last=Seibert|first=Trent|date=August 10, 2013|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=August 12, 2013}} One matter involved a trip he took to Paris with his then-fiancée in June 2013; questions had been raised about the nonprofit group that paid his expenses and the use of city credit cards to pay for his accompanying security detail.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-filner-paris-20130726,0,3950601.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730121128/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-filner-paris-20130726,0,3950601.story|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 30, 2013|title=San Diego Mayor Bob Filner's June trip to Paris questioned|last=Perry|first=Tony|date=July 26, 2013|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=August 12, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.10news.com/news/investigations/bob-filners-paris-finances-show-last-minute-airfare-unattended-conferences-cost-thousands|title=Bob Filner's Paris finances show last-minute airfare, unattended conferences cost thousands|last=Blacher|first=Mitch|date=August 17, 2013|work=ABC 10 News|access-date=August 17, 2013}} On another issue, FBI agents looked into a pair of proposed housing developments which Filner blocked with an "administrative hold" until the developers contributed money to certain city projects.{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jul/30/tp-fbi-expands-probe-of-developer-deals/|title=FBI expands probe of developer deals|last=McDonald|first=Jeff|date=July 30, 2013|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=August 12, 2013}}

In August 2013 two different groups started the process to mount a recall drive against Filner; the two groups later combined their efforts.{{cite news|url=http://www.10news.com/news/announcement-on-filner-recall-efforts-expected-080213|title=Filner recall effort organizers join forces|last=Chen|first=Michael|work=ABC 10 News|publisher=August 2, 2013|access-date=August 13, 2013}} In order to force a recall election, they would have had to gather more than 100,000 signatures of city voters (15% of the votes cast in the most recent election) within a 39-day window.{{cite news|url=http://fox5sandiego.com/2013/08/08/critics-recall-is-virtually-impossible/#axzz2bowXJcwv|title=Critics: Filner recall is virtually impossible|last=De La Rosa|first=Christian|date=August 8, 2013|work=Fox 5 San Diego|access-date=August 13, 2013}} On August 18, 1,200 volunteers began collecting signatures. Less than a week after the signature drive began, Filner agreed to resign. The recall organizers wound down the effort, called for all petitions to be turned in so they could be counted and destroyed, and worked on preparing a final financial accounting.{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Recall-Bob-Filner-Campaign-Ends-After-Mayors-Resignation-220950801.html|title=Recall Effort Winds Down in Wake of Filner's Resignation|last=Garske|first=Monica|date=August 24, 2013|work=NBC San Diego|access-date=August 27, 2013}}

On August 21, 2013, city attorney Jan Goldsmith said that Filner had reached an agreement with the city after three days of mediation.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/21/us/san-diego-mayor-bob-filner-deal/index.html|title=San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, city reach mediation deal, city attorney says|last=Wian|first=Casey|date=August 21, 2013|work=CNN|access-date=August 22, 2013}} The City Council considered the agreement in a closed session on August 23 and voted 7-0 to accept Filner's resignation. The resignation deal with the City Council limits Filner's "legal and financial exposure"{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/24/us/san-diego-mayor-resigns-in-sexual-harassment-scandal.html|title=San Diego Mayor Resigns in Sexual Harassment Scandal|date=August 23, 2013|work=NY Times|access-date=August 23, 2013|first=Jennifer|last=Medina}} by providing a joint legal defense for him and the city for claims filed against him by current or former city employees, as well as paying up to $98,000 of his outside legal fees. Filner signed a letter of resignation that became effective at 5 p.m PDT August 30, 2013.{{cite web|title=San Diego Mayor Bob Filner Resigns From Office|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/san-diego-mayor-bob-filner-resigns-from-office/|publisher=Mediaite|access-date=August 23, 2013}} City Council president Todd Gloria served as interim mayor, with limited powers, pending election of a new mayor.{{cite news|url=http://voiceofsandiego.org/2013/08/22/the-differences-between-an-interim-mayor-and-a-strong-mayor/|title=The Differences Between an Interim Mayor and a Strong Mayor|last=Dotinga|first=Randy|date=August 22, 2013|work=Voice of San Diego|access-date=August 30, 2013}} A special election was held on November 19, 2013;{{cite news|url=http://www.cbs8.com/story/23278149/developing-city-council-to-decide-on-special-election-date|title=Special election to replace Filner set for November 19|date=August 28, 2013|work=KFMB-TV|access-date=August 30, 2013}} since no candidate received a majority of the vote, a runoff election was held on February 11, 2014, wherein Kevin Faulconer was elected to be the next mayor.

On October 15, 2013, Filner pleaded guilty in San Diego Superior Court to three criminal counts filed against him by the California state attorney general, who took over the case after the San Diego County district attorney recused herself. The charges were one felony count of false imprisonment and two misdemeanor battery charges. The victims were identified as three Jane Does. He could have faced up to five years in prison,{{cite news|url=http://www.10news.com/news/investigations/announcement-on-criminal-investigation-with-bob-filner-on-sexual-harassment-claims-101513|title=Former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner pleads guilty to felony false imprisonment, battery|date=October 15, 2013|work=ABC 10 News|access-date=October 15, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015221130/http://www.10news.com/news/investigations/announcement-on-criminal-investigation-with-bob-filner-on-sexual-harassment-claims-101513|archive-date=October 15, 2013}} but a plea bargain was reportedly reached, under which he would be given three months of house arrest, three years probation, and partial loss of his mayoral pension.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/16/us/criminal-charges-for-bob-filner-former-san-diego-mayor.html?_r=0|title=Bob Filner, Former San Diego Mayor, Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges|date=October 15, 2013|work=New York Times|access-date=October 15, 2013|first1=Rob|last1=Davis|first2=Adam|last2=Nagourney}} On December 9, 2013, the terms of the plea bargain were imposed at a sentencing hearing.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/09/justice/ex-san-diego-mayor-bob-filner-sentencing/|title=Ex-San Diego mayor sentenced to home confinement for assaulting women|last=Levs|first=Josh|author2=Simpson, David|date=December 9, 2013|work=CNN Justice|access-date=December 10, 2013}} The plea bargain would have prohibited him from ever seeking or holding public office again, but the judge reduced the prohibition so it applies only while he is on probation.{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/dec/10/tp-filners-final-fall/|title=Filner's final fall|last=Gustafson|first=Craig|author2=Moran, Greg|date=December 10, 2013|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=December 11, 2013}} He served a three-month term of house arrest which ended on April 6, 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/06/bob-filner-house-arrest_n_5101700.html|title=Bob Filner's Three-Month House Arrest Comes To An End|date=April 6, 2014|work=AP|publisher=Huffington Post|access-date=April 10, 2014|first=Ashley|last=Alman}}

In a 2016 interview, Filner denied all allegations of sexual harassment.{{cite news|last1=Halverstadt|first1=Lisa|title=The Return of Bob Filner|url=http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/politics/the-return-of-bob-filner/|access-date=March 27, 2016|work=Voice of San Diego|date=January 16, 2016}}

On November 20, 2017, Representative Diana DeGette (D-Colorado) alleged during an interview on MSNBC's Meet the Press Daily that Filner tried to force himself on her in an elevator.{{cite news|url=https://www.msnbc.com/mtp-daily/watch/congresswoman-he-tried-to-pin-me-to-the-door-and-kiss-me-1100240451709|title=Congresswoman: He 'tried to pin me to the door' and kiss me|work=MSNBC|access-date=November 21, 2017}}

Filner is divorced from his first wife, Barbara (Christy) Filner, a retired mediation specialist {{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/jan/31/for-nice-san-diegan-mediation-is-the-key/|title=For 'nice' San Diegan, mediation is the key|last=Rowe|first=Peter|date=January 31, 2011|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=February 13, 2013}} whom he met when they both taught in a summer program in the early 1960s at Tuskegee University (then Institute). They have two adult children, a son and a daughter.

Filner was later married to Jane Merrill, but they divorced in 2011.

At his first news conference after his election as mayor in 2012, Filner introduced his fiancée, Bronwyn Ingram, a disability analyst who worked for the Social Security Administration.{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Bob-Filner-Fiancee-Bronwyn-Ingram_San-Diego.html|title=Bob Filner Fiancee Bronwyn Ingram|date=November 20, 2012|work=NBC San Diego|access-date=November 17, 2012}} On July 8, 2013, Ingram announced by email to a group of her supporters that the engagement had been called off and the relationship was over.[http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jul/08/filner-fiancee-calls-off-engagement/ Filner's fiancee calls off engagement], San Diego Union Tribune, July 8, 2013 In a subsequent statement, Ingram cited Filner's verbal abuse and blatant sexting as reasons for the split.[http://www.10news.com/news/ex-fiancee-bronwyn-ingram-mayor-should-resign-says-bob-filner-sent-sexually-explicit-messages-to-other-women-071513 "Mayor Bob Filner's ex-fiancee releases statement on what ended relationship"], 10news.com; retrieved July 30, 2013.

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