SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ California Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra was disciplined after a human resources investigation eight years ago, when a female Capitol staffer accused him of "inappropriate and unwelcome physical contact," the Los Angeles Times has learned.
Elise Flynn Gyore said Bocanegra, at the time chief of staff to then-Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes, groped her and followed her in a manner she found threatening at an after-work event attended by legislators, staff and lobbyists.
"He menaced me that evening," Gyore said in an interview, speaking publicly about the 2009 incident for the first time. She said the encounter left her so distraught that she filed a human resources complaint the following day.
A weekslong investigation by independent attorneys hired by the California Legislature concluded that "it is more likely than not that Bocanegra engaged in behavior that night which does not meet the Assembly's expectations for professionalism," according to a June 22, 2009, letter from the Assembly Rules Committee reviewed by the Times.
The letter, signed by the Assembly's then-chief administrative officer, barred Bocanegra from subsequently communicating with Gyore and promised "additional appropriate action to help ensure there are no recurring issues."
The Assemblyman apologized Friday after being asked about Gyore.
"This unfortunate experience I was involved in as a staffer nearly 10 years ago was something I regret and learned from. As to the complaint filed, I fully cooperated with the investigation and after a comprehensive review by an independent body, which included interviews of over a dozen witnesses, the investigation was closed," Bocanegra, 46, said in a statement.
"I will work closely with my colleagues to ensure all processes involving sexual harassment are handled properly and fairly and that no woman or man who has been harassed is retaliated against by members or staff," said Bocanegra, who is not married. "Again, I'm deeply regretful about putting someone in this position and I want to apologize most sincerely."
Bocanegra, a Democrat, represents the northeast San Fernando Valley, including the city of San Fernando, Pacoima and Sylmar. He won his first election in 2012 in a landslide.
While scores of women have spoken out in recent weeks about their own experiences with sexual harassment in the Capitol, they have so far declined to make specific accusations, hoping instead to focus attention on a culture they say is saturated with inappropriate behavior. Gyore said the problem goes beyond any one lawmaker, adding that she believes it is time to begin calling out individuals.
"This is becoming ridiculous," she said. "I'm tired of being quiet to protect bad actors. I'm tired of that. As women, we're tired of that."
