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Former California Assemblyman Dababneh's Appeal Of Misconduct Finding Denied

Tuesday, August 28, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio
 

Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

Sophia Bollag, Associated Press

(AP) — The California Assembly said Monday it denied a former lawmakers' appeal of an investigation that found he sexually harassed a lobbyist in 2016.

Former Assemblyman Matt Dababneh had appealed the finding that he likely pushed the lobbyist into a bathroom at a Las Vegas party and masturbated in front of her while urging her to touch him. Lobbyist Pamela Lopez publicly made the accusation against Dababneh last December and submitted a complaint to the Assembly Rules Committee, which hired an outside investigator.

The Assembly Rules Committee told Dababneh in a letter dated Friday that his appeal was reviewed and rejected.

Dababneh denies harassing Lopez and is suing her for defamation. Representatives for Dababneh did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Lopez said she hopes the Assembly's rejection of Dababneh's appeal encourages other women to speak out about sexual harassment.

"This decision is an important step to uphold fairness, accountability, and equity in the workplace," she said in a statement.

The lawyer hired by the Assembly to investigate the allegation interviewed more than 50 people and reviewed relevant documents, according to the letters released by the Assembly on Monday. In his appeal, Dababneh argued she did not interview some character witnesses he provided. He said he was denied due process because the Assembly didn't provide him with a copy of the investigation report.

The Assembly says such reports are confidential and subject to attorney-client privilege.

In his lawsuit against Lopez, Dababneh said he was forced by Assembly leadership and colleagues to resign his Los Angeles-area seat last year because of the allegations. He also said he has suffered depression and anxiety. He is seeking unspecified damages for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Lopez's lawyer, Jean Hyams, said Dababneh's lawsuit is an act of retaliation and an attempt to silence women.


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    Former California Assemblyman Matt Dababneh Sues Accuser Alleging Assault

    Wednesday, August 15, 2018
    Former Assemblyman Matt Dababneh filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming lobbyist Pamela Lopez defamed him by alleging he pushed her into a bathroom and masturbated in front of her during a party in Las Vegas.
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    Local Democratic Party Calls For Dababneh's Resignation

    Wednesday, December 6, 2017
    (AP) — The local Democratic Party in Assemblyman Matt Dababneh's district is calling on him to resign following allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
  • Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

    Two Women Accuse California Assemblyman Matt Dababneh Of Sexual Assault, Harassment

    Monday, December 4, 2017
    Two women say California Assemblyman Matt Dababneh sexually harassed them, including one who claims the lawmaker accosted her in a bathroom during a Las Vegas party and masturbated in front of her.

 sexual harassmentMe TooCalifornia LegislatureMatt Dababneh

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