FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ashley Labar
December 4, 2020 (916) 319-2058
Women’s Caucus Releases Statement Regarding Former Assemblymember Bill Brough
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus and Senator Nancy Skinner, (D-Berkeley), Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus issued the following statement in light of new deeply disturbing criminal allegations against former Assemblymember Bill Brough (R-Dana Point):
“As members of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, we are very disturbed by the new criminal allegations against former Assemblymember Bill Brough and take them seriously. If the investigation finds that these allegations are true, there must be swift and transparent consequences for this type of behavior. Claims of sexual harassment, assault, and unwanted advances must always be taken seriously and we are committed to fostering an environment that protects all Californians from inappropriate behavior, whether in the Capitol or in any other setting.”
“The Women’s Caucus worked diligently to be a bridge between the Assembly and the Senate in creating a bicameral and bipartisan process that seeks to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. It is unfortunate that these protections did not exist at the time this incident occurred. There is important work that still needs to be done to ensure that legislative employees—and employees in the broader workforce—are able to work in a safe and harassment-free environment.”
“The victim showed incredible courage in coming forward to both the California Legislature’s Workplace Conduct Unit and to law enforcement. We must allow law enforcement to investigate these criminal allegations to the fullest extent. We are grateful for her fortitude in the face of retaliation and blame. If you are a legislative employee, please know there are resources available to you.”
It is the opinion and knowledge of this blogger that there are many more victims both of Bill Brough, as well as many victims of several other current sitting members of the legislature. I have been told that the workplace conduct unit has a severely limited mandate even post #METOO. Over the years, I have been told about many complaints that were dispensed with. For every validated complaint you see, there are 3-5 other legitimate complaints that were not acted upon and a dozen more that are dismissed.
I am curious as to why this caucus never followed up on Phil Ting or Adam Gray just for two examples.
I apprecite the women’s caucus standing up for Trish Todd (the Rape victim of Bill Brough’s) when many on the GOP side are slient or worse are smearing her. I do however, note that they are not effectvie at dealing with the perverts on their own side of the aisle. There are far more democrats out there that are off the rails. If you are reading this and have been abused in the legislature – please email me at [email protected] you can remain anonymous.