Democrat Who Helped Start #MeToo Now Being Accused Of... You Guessed It

Democrat Who Helped Start #MeToo Now Being Accused Of... You Guessed It
Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia was at the forefront when she helped start the #MeToomovement, and now she just may help end it as well.

California man says #MeToo advocate Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia groped him in dugout after annual legislative softball game in 2014. https://t.co/Z7S7auhUoh

— AP West Region (@APWestRegion) February 9, 2018


Garcia, who is the chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus who has been at the forefront of the movement against sexual harassment in the state Capitol, has herself become the subject of allegations of sexual misconduct.

Two men have come forward and accused Garcia of making improper advances toward them. One, a former legislative staffer, said Garcia groped his back and buttocks and attempted to grab his crotch during a legislative softball game in 2014.

The former staffer, Daniel Fierro, told his former boss, Assemblyman Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) about the incident several weeks ago, his office said. Calderon then reported the incident to the Assembly Rules Committee.

Fierro told the Times he decided to speak out because he thought Garcia's behavior was at odds with her helping start the #MeToo movement.

"I have female colleagues who have been through way worse than me," Fierro said. "That conversation needs to be had. ...If their stories are being taken less seriously by people in the district because the messenger is not credible, that's a problem."

In a statement, Garcia said the details of the complaints only came to her attention on Thursday. She confirmed she did attend the legislative softball game in 2014, but added she has “zero recollection of engaging in inappropriate behavior,” which she said was inconsistent with her values.

“Every complaint about sexual harassment should be taken seriously and I will participate fully in any investigation that takes place,” Garcia said.

The second accusation was from an unnamed lobbyist. Politico reported the lobbyist said Garcia attempted to grab his genitals and made an explicit sexual proposition at a 2017 event.
She Started It... She May End It
Garcia, one of the most outspoken legislators in the #MeToo movement, now finds herself facing criticism from colleagues. State Sen. Connie Leyva (D-Chino) called the allegations “very troubling.”

“I have consistently voiced my strong opinion that any legislator under investigation by either the Assembly or Senate should take an immediate leave of absence until the review is completed,” Leyva said in a statement. “As Vice Chair of the Women’s Caucus, I will be asking that the membership of the Caucus meet in the very near future to discuss the fate of Assemblymember Cristina Garcia as Women’s Caucus Chair.”

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