The following statements were provided by Filner accuser Irene McCormack Jackson and her attorney Gloria Allred in response to the resignation of Mayor Bob Filner Friday, August 13, 2013:
Statement from Irene McCormack Jackson:
"I'm relieved the
City has rid itself of Bob Filner so that he will not be in a position
to prey on any more women. My thoughts are with the courageous women,
who because they spoke out, galvanized the residents of this great city
and its elected leaders to rise up against a serial sexual harasser and a
gross abuser of power. Bye bye, Bob. You will not be missed."
Statement from Gloria Allred:
"I want to congratulate my client Irene McCormack Jackson. The mediation which resulted in the Mayor's resignation was a mediation of Irene's lawsuit against Mayor Filner and the City of San Diego. If Irene had not come forward and if we had not filed a lawsuit on her behalf, I think it is fair to say that instead of resigning today the Mayor Filner would still be engaging in the same despicable, harassing and sexually inappropriate conduct which led Irene, followed by 17 other women, to come forward to complain about the Mayor's conduct.
We are delighted that the Mayor has resigned. I hope that we never see another elected official who thinks that he can target women and sexually harass them in the way that Mayor Filner did. Women employees should not be preyed upon by their bosses, particularly elected officials. We salute and commend Irene for having had the courage to bring her lawsuit against the Mayor. I asked for the Mayor to resign at three separate press conferences of women who were harassed by him, and at a rally in San Diego last Sunday. Today, I am thankful that he has finally resigned.
Today is a day of reckoning for Mayor Filner and a day of vindication for his many alleged victims, 18 of whom have come forward. Though Mayor Filner still continues to live in his own reality and deny responsibility for the conduct which we allege in our lawsuit, the fact is that he has done what was absolutely needed. He has resigned and that is what is most important.
The Mayor, in his resignation speech, took credit for protecting seals during his term as Mayor. Unfortunately, he failed to give as much protection to the women who came into contact with him as he gave to the seals. Women were at risk when they were near the Mayor.
The City Council should now focus its energy and attention on resolving Irene's claims against the City of San Diego and the Mayor so that it can move on."
