L.A. Now Live: San Diego Mayor Bob Filner expected to resign

Join us at 9 a.m when we talk with The Times’ reporter Tony Perry about the latest in the San Diego Mayor Bob Filner saga.

Filner is expected to resign Friday just eight months into his first term amid mounting allegations of sexual harassment.

Filner agreed to resign as part of a proposed mediation deal reached with city officials over a sexual-harassment lawsuit, sources familiar with the negotiations said Thursday.

At least 18 women have publicly accused the 70-year-old Democrat of sexual misconduct, including a former aide who filed the lawsuit seeking damages from the city and Filner.

As more women went public with accusations, public opinion polls showed that a large majority of residents wanted Filner out.

In exchange for his resignation, the city will pay some, if not all, of Filner’s legal fees and his share of any damages awarded in the lawsuit, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. One estimate is the agreement will cost the city several hundred thousand dollars.

The lawsuit against Filner was filed July 22 by Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred on behalf of Irene McCormack Jackson, Filner’s former director of communications.

Filner’s decision to resign came after three days of closed-door mediation. The City Council is set to vote on the proposed settlement in a closed session Friday. Under the city charter, a special election would have to be held within 90 days to find a successor.