California lawmaker stripped of duties after sexual harassment investigation

A California Republican was stripped of his committee assignments Wednesday after a workplace investigation substantiated claims he inappropriately touched and offered individuals “political favors in exchange for sex.”

The Legislature’s Workplace Conduct Unit launched last year an investigation into claims that Assemblyman Bill Brough, R-Dana Point, had behaved inappropriately.

The Assembly Rules Committee announced on Wednesday that the panel had substantiated claims that date back to last summer.

In June 2019, someone filed a report alleging Brough had made “unwanted sexual advances” toward unknown individuals, which included unsolicited touching and “propositioning them for sex.”

A July 2019 complaint references reporting by The Sacramento Bee last summer that detailed one woman’s allegation of sexual misconduct by Brough from 2011. The complaint states there were “more people” with similar experiences, and includes details of a casual conversation during which one person said something similar to, “It’s about time, he did it to me.”

Brough said in a statement Wednesday that he disagreed with the findings and called the investigation a “politically motivated process.”

He said he did not believe the panel completed a fair investigation, but rather “completely dismissed many of the collaborated, factual elements.” He said he was looking at “legal options.”

“I categorically deny harassing or offering political favors to anyone,” Brough said. “I will take the recommended training. I also want to apologize to my family, friends and supporters for putting them through this unfair process

The Bee first reported in June that Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett accused the assemblyman of inappropriate behavior during a retirement party sometime in March 2011, while they served together on the Dana Point City Council.

The Legislature had launched an investigation by September. The California Fair Political Practices Commission also initiated a campaign finance inquiry last year into whether Brough used funds for personal use.

Brough was knocked out of his re-election race in the March 3 primary and will not appear on the November ballot. In September 2019, the Orange County GOP asked him to consider retirement rather than pursue another legislative term.

Following the investigation’s conclusion, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, formally rebuked Brough in a Wednesday letter, stripped him of his committee assignments and ordered him to take harassment and discrimination training.

Rendon’s letter said the investigative panel had weighed the allegations and evidence to determine that on at least two occasions, the Republican had behaved inappropriately toward one person, once verbally and the second, “both verbally and physically by placing your hand on the small of (the individual’s) back.”

“The panel also found that on one of these two occasions you insinuated that you would provide political help to (the individual) if (he or she) went to your apartment with you,” Rendon wrote.

In a pair of letters to individuals who filed the complaints, Rendon wrote that the panel had substantiated claims of Brough inviting someone, on one occasion, to “come out and party with him,” and, on another, “insinuated that he would provide political help if you went back to his apartment with him.”

“He placed his hand on the small of your back, and he told you that he did not live far away from the bar the two of you were at and that you should hang out with him, saying, ‘Come on. you know you need to party,’” the one of the letters included.

Rendon said “effective immediately,” Brough would no longer serve on his committee assignments. Brough is the vice chairman on the Business and Professions and Revenue and Taxation Committees, according to his website. He is also a member of a special budget subcommittee recently established to increase oversight of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The behavior outlined in the investigation cannot be tolerated,” said Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron. “Mr. Brough has been removed from his positions on Assembly committees and I am working with the Speaker on next steps.”

The Legislature releases investigation records to members of the media if claims are deemed substantiated. Journalists during the Me Too Movement requested a more transparent system within the Capitol for releasing redacted records. Since then, the Senate and Assembly Rules Committees announce closed and validated investigations.

Three lawmakers resigned in late 2017 and early 2018 amid accusations and investigations into alleged sexual harassment.

This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 5:25 PM.