For several years, there had been rumors about the personal conduct of Bill Brough. He is reputed to be a heavy drinker with loose personal behavior. In particular, it was alleged that Brough has had multiple incidences of sexual harassment, including alleged outright issues of sexual assault (aka physical contact). Brough is the AD73 Incumbent Assemblyman.
Your intrepid blogger has learned that there indeed was a complaint filed with the Rules Committee against Brough that went nowhere. Brough had publicly denied there was ever a complaint. He has also publicly denied wrongdoing. It is the opinion of this blogger that he lied.
It also appears that the OCGOP is so deeply concerned about these issues that Bill Brough did not receive a consent calendar endorsement at their regular meeting Monday evening.
Rather, OC Supervisor Lisa Bartlett spoke out forcefully against endorsing Bill Brough to a stunned audience. She detailed in graphic terms the incident of Sexual Assault/Harassment that she personally endured at the hands of Mr. Brough.
It is clear to this blogger that Brough has had enablers covering for him for years. It is also clear that Brough has had a litany of issues related to intoxication and his out of control behavior that occurs once intoxicated. Sans proof (aka the victims talking to me, or documented evidence of criminal/civil proceedings) I’ve stayed quiet.
The OC GOP sat in stunned silence as Lisa Bartlett opened up publicly for the first time about the alleged incident that was widely known but never confirmed by Mrs. Bartlett. The stunned committee voted Unanimously (save one holdout) to refer Brough’s endorsement to the endorsement committee for a “Closed Door Investigation”.
Bill Brough’s life is starting to unravel as is this budding scandal with multiple alleged victims. Add AD73 to the list of GOP seats that could be imperiled by the coming election.
IN CA45, your intrepid blogger has received information that suggests retired Lt. Col Greg Raths was told not to run for CA45. The issues appear to be nothing of his qualifications (he is a local councilmember and mayor) but rather a desire of the “party leadership” to check demographic boxes with their recruits.
It has been put to this blogger by more than one source that none of Rath’s alleged weaknesses were the issue, rather, he was told not to run because he is an old white guy. Whoops.
Having seen the SD-05 race detonate over similar circumstances with a poorly vetted recruit, one wonders if other shoes are going to drop there in CA-45 as well.
I will have follow up information on Raths as the more I learn about him the more I am open to his candidacy for higher office.
The OCGOP appears to be a dumpster fire and Fred Whitaker, the OCGOP Chairman is being forced to exert leadership contrary to his record for being a weak conflict avoider. The decisions the OCGOP make in the next year could very well determine if Orange County will turn Red Again or become a democrat stronghold.
To Be Continued…
P.S. I was involved in the AD-73 race a while ago when Brough won. I did not work for anyone, but I wrote a series of blogs on the OC Politics Blog where I decimated Anna Bryson who was the establishment choice in that race. As such, I’ve kept an eye on that district since…
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