Sexual Harassment

A Republican from the Central Valley is the latest California lawmaker found to have violated the Capitol's sexual harassment policy. An investigation found that Assemblyman Devon Mathis of Visalia made frequent sexual comments, but determined there is not enough evidence to prove more serious allegations of sexual assault.

Thanks to legislation, the soda industry averted new local taxes, but it could face an initiative that would impose a new statewide tax.

On a leave of absence from the Legislature since she was accused of sexual harassment in February—and facing intensifying attacks in her re-election campaign—Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia jumped back into the fray Thursday, sending out a press release saying she’d been “exonerated.” Not quite.

These proposals could reduce the use of non-disclosure agreements and similar legal tools that can tie victims’ hands.

You can monitor the growing list of sexual harassment cases that the California Legislature has substantiated and released records about via this spreadsheet, created by CALmatters' Capitol news analyst Laurel Rosenhall.

The Legislature has released another swath of harassment records—this time detailing five cases it substantiated or in which a settlement was reached—involving elected members and high-level employees between 1992 and 2005.

So the Capitol Correspondents Association of California—which represents reporters who cover the statehouse—today sent a letter to the Legislature's leaders asking for an improved and consistent system for releasing information about substantiated cases of sexual harassment.

A huge twist emerged this week in the Capitol’s months-long reckoning over sexual harassment: A female lawmaker who helped spark the movement to end misconduct is taking a leave of absence while she herself is being investigated for sexual harassment. An explosive report in Politico quoted a former legislative aide who accused Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia […]

The California Senate's flailing efforts to deal with an accused colleague illustrate the challenges lawmakers face in response to revelations of sexual harassment that have swept the state Capitol.