Woman files lawsuit against Filner, city

A woman who said she was groped and subjected to sexual advances from former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has filed a lawsuit against the city.

Marilyn McGaughy, an advocate against domestic violence, said she was harassed by Filner at an event May 17 at Johnson Elementary School. She filed a claim against the city in September that was denied, said her attorney, Dan Gilleon.

The lawsuit contends that Filner visited the school, located in Emerald Hills, for an official city event, accompanied by two of his bodyguards. While there he kissed, groped and made “repeated sexual advances and sexual comments” to McGaughey, it says.

The suit contends that the bodyguards witnessed how Filner handled McGaughy but did not stop him, violating the city’s policy about reporting violations of the no tolerance policy of sexual harassment. The suit does not specify how much in damages McGaughy is seeking. The September claim sought $250,000.

Filner resigned Aug. 30 after less than a year in office amid allegations that he had harassed, groped and made otherwise unwanted advances against numerous women, both while in office and in the years before. He later pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to incidents with three women. He is serving a three-year probation term after being released from 90 days of home detention term earlier this month.

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