Former ‘Officegate’ staffer accuses DeMaio of sexual harassment

What could make the break-in at Candidate Carl DeMaio’s office more strange? Accusations of sexual harassment by a male office staffer reputedly involved in the break-in. At a press conference  Oct. 8, DeMaio was queried about ‘Officegate.’

In May before the primary election, DeMaio’s campaign office was broken into in Mira Mesa. Initially, the DeMaio campaign suggested that the burglary and vandalism was an attempt to silence DeMaio by crippling his communications capability prior to the primary. The implication that those who disagreed with DeMaio’s political views were at fault. In August, it was revealed that those who were attempting to silence DeMaio were former staffers.

Two former staffers who were terminated by the campaign are being investigated as the culprits of the break-in. Now the story takes a strange turn, as one of the former male staffers has accused DeMaio of sexual harassment and attempted bribery. In yesterday’s press conference, where DeMaio was asked about the accusations of sexual harassment, he stated, “Our office was broken into … I do not want to jeopardize an independent investigation by commenting on a cover story that the prime suspect has tried to concoct.”

DeMaio’s response was a comment. He is suggesting that the staffer accused of his office break-in is concocting sexual harassment and bribery allegations. A source close to the DeMaio campaign has indicated that the staffer was also involved in the plagiarism scandal that plagued the DeMaio campaign earlier this year. DeMaio claimed a pension fund investigative report as his own that was actually created by the National Journal. DeMaio apologized for the plagiarism.

It is unclear whether the staffer was fired because of the plagiarism kerfuffle which may have led to the break-in at the DeMaio office.  Now, DeMaio claims that the break-in has led to the sexual harassment and bribery allegations. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis is investigating all claims and DeMaio admitted that he had been questioned by the sex crimes police. Candidate DeMaio said the the police chief had called him. Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman reputedly said, “Thank you for your cooperation” and, “We consider the matter closed.” Critics have questioned why the police chief would call a person accused of sexual harassment to assure them that the matter was closed. Critics also suggest that DeMaio is being handled differently than a private citizen or even former Mayor Bob Filner.

Off-the-record, Democratic sources have said that whether any of the accusations are true or not, it calls into question DeMaio’s leadership abilities. “One of the fundamental questions voters must ask themselves is, ‘Is the candidate ready to lead’? DeMaio hired this staffer who reputedly has been involved in all three of the scandals that have plagued his campaign. Judgment as to the selection of staff is a key ingredient of leadership.”

San Diego LGBT Weekly reached out to the DeMaio campaign for comment but did not receive a response prior to going to press. LGBT Weekly was not notified of the Oct. 8,  press conference which DeMaio campaign spokesman Dave McCulloch said was an oversight.