Sex Assaulter Raul Bocanegra Steps Down after LA Watchdog  Demand and LA Times Report

POLITICS--Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, D-Pacoima, announced Monday that he would not seek re-election and immediately resign from his leadership position of Assembly Whip.

Bocanegra’s decision came after CityWatch published Jack Humphreville’s LA Watchdog column demanding that the Assemblyman resign immediately.

He said, “I have sought counsel from community members and constituents. After much discussion and reflection, the most prudent decision to avoid another costly special election in Los Angeles and ensure our community is not left without any representation in the state Assembly would be for me to resign at the end of the legislative session.”

It was revealed last month that Bocanegra had been disciplined in 2009 for “inappropriate and unwelcome physical contact” with and “inappropriate and unwelcome verbal remarks” directed at a legislative staffer at an after-work event.

Elise Flynn Gyore said Bocanegra, who was then chief of staff for then-Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes, “menaced me that evening,” groping her and following her in a threatening manner.

(Parts of this report originated at CalWatchdog.)