San Diego mayor wants taxpayers to pay for his sexual harassment lawsuit

Embattled San Diego Mayor Bob Filner wants the city council to foot the bill for his legal expenses.

Filner, 70, is facing a sexual harassment lawsuit from his former communications director who alleges he created a hostile work environment where women were treated as "sexual objects or stupid idiots". 

According to the Associated Press, the lawsuit alleges he asked her to work without panties, demanded kisses and told her he wanted to see her naked.

Seven women have accused Filner of inappropriate behavior including groping, sexual advances and unwanted kissing.

It's unlikely that the city council, which overwhelmingly wants Filner to resign, will approve the request.

The council will hold a closed door session on Tuesday to consider how to proceed.

Seven of the nine members of the city council have asked Filner to step down.

City Council President Todd Gloria said he’s personally opposed to using taxpayer funds for Filner’s legal fees.

"This is about personal behavior," Gloria told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"We certainly provide defenses to city employees who have been caught up in legal issues as a result of their day-to-day work but obviously sexual harassment is not tolerated in the city. It’s not necessary for the conduct of your work. I think it would send the wrong message to taxpayers that we’d be willing to pay for the defense."

Two competing bids to recall Filner have already been launched but so far he has resisted the calls to step down. Filner was elected to the mayor's office only eight months ago.

Instead, he committed to spending two weeks in "intensive" therapy starting Aug. 5.

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