San Diego Mayor Admits To Sexual Harassment: ‘I Need Help’

Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., speaks during a news conference on the situation at Camp Ashraf, Iraq, home to 3,400 members of Iran's opposition movement on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, in Washington.
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After drawing allegations from his own political allies, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner (D) issued a statement Thursday in which he admitted to sexually harassing several women, the San Diego Union Tribune reported.

Filner mayor began the statement by apologizing before saying he’s “embarrassed to admit that I have failed to fully respect the women who work for me and with me, and that at times I have intimidated them.”

“I am also humbled to admit that I need help,” Filner said. “I have begun to work with professionals to make changes in my behavior and approach. In addition, my staff and I will participate in sexual harassment training provided by the city. Please know that I fully understand that only I am the one that can make these changes.”

City Councilwoman Donna Frye and attorneys Cory Briggs and Marco Gonzalez conducted a press conference Thursday during which they alleged that the embattled mayor had sexually harassed a number of different women, but the three officials did not divulge many details about the harassment.  

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