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California

Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra resigns ‘effective immediately’ following harassment allegations

Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, left, and Mike Gatto, both Democrats from Los Angeles, speak at a rally calling on the passage of a measure they coauthored to expand and extend a Hollywood tax credit designed to keep film and television production in California, at the Capitol, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Sacramento, Calif. If approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, AB1839 would extend the tax credit by five years and expand it to cover big-budget productions costing more than $75 million. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) ** Usable by LA, DC, CGT and CCT Only **
Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, left, and Mike Gatto, both Democrats from Los Angeles, speak at a rally calling on the passage of a measure they coauthored to expand and extend a Hollywood tax credit designed to keep film and television production in California, at the Capitol, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Sacramento, Calif. If approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, AB1839 would extend the tax credit by five years and expand it to cover big-budget productions costing more than $75 million. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) ** Usable by LA, DC, CGT and CCT Only **
(Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
By Melanie MasonStaff Writer 
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California Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra announced Monday he will resign immediately, one week after multiple women alleged he sexually harassed them.

Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) had announced last week he planned to resign on Sept. 1, 2018, hours before The Times published a report in which six women accused him of making unwanted sexual advances.

In a statement Monday, he said he decided to accelerate his resignation, which he said was his “original intention.”

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“By doing so I hope the community will have a new representative sooner rather than later. Furthermore, it is my hope that in taking this action we can help clear the path so that women and men who have been truly victims of sexual assault and workplace harassment can step forward and get justice for any crimes committed against them. While I am not guilty of any such crimes, I am admittedly not perfect,” Bocanegra said in the statement.

He continued: “I sincerely hope that my decision to resign immediately does not embolden those who are using this serious problem in our society to advance their own personal political gain, rather it is my hope that this action can instead help to widen the doors for victims of sexual assault and workplace harassment to find justice and solace.”

He submitted a resignation letter, “effective immediately,” to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount).

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Melanie Mason

Melanie Mason is a former political correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, based in Los Angeles. She started with The Times in Washington, D.C., in 2011, covering money and politics, and she also covered state politics and government in Sacramento and three presidential races.

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