City Council to apologize to harassment victim of ex-Mayor Filner

SAN DIEGO — To settle a sexual harassment claim filed against ex-Mayor Bob Filner, the City Council will issue a “full apology” to a 67-year-old great-grandmother and designate a day in her honor, the city attorney announced Thursday.

Peggy Shannon, who worked as a part-time employee at the senior citizens service desk at City Hall, had alleged that Filner continually made sexually inappropriate comments to her about wanting to begin a personal relationship.

Shannon said Filner’s misconduct began soon after he became mayor in December 2012 and continued each time he would see her at her desk in the lobby of City Hall.

She said he once kissed her on the lips and on another occasion asked her: “Do you think I could go eight hours straight?”

His harassment continued even after his staff in mid-June complained at two emotional meetings with him that his conduct toward women was grossly unacceptable.

Also, former Councilwoman Donna Frye had gone to Filner telling him to change his conduct immediately.

Still, Filner’s misconduct toward Shannon continued, according to Shannon and her attorney, Gloria Allred.

The council on Monday will designate a Peggy Shannon Day and issue an apology, according to City Attorney Jan Goldsmith.

“Receiving an apology is important to Peggy Shannon and honoring her allows her us to express our respect for her and her courage,” Goldsmith said.

The council action will settle a claim filed by Shannon, Goldsmith said.

Shannon had filed an employment complaint with the city, asking for an apology. She said that on more than one occasion, she went home and cried about Filner’s behavior.

“Mayor Filner, I want to protect working women,” Shannon said at a news conference with Allred in mid-August. “It is long overdue for you to do the right thing, and the right thing is for you to go.”

Filner resigned Aug. 30 amid sexual harassment allegations from Shannon and more than 20 women.

The city has also settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Filner’s ex-director of communications for $250,000.

tony.perry@latimes.com