Lawsuit accuses Archuleta of sexual harassment

NORWALK – A lawsuit by a former employee of state Sen. Bob Archuleta accuses the legislator of sexual harassment, according to the Sacramento Bee.

The lawsuit was filed last Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court by a former female staffer. The Norwalk Patriot is not identifying the woman.

In the lawsuit, the woman claims Archuleta -- who is married -- commented on her breasts, bragged about affairs, and publicly reprimanded and embarrassed her.

The woman was forced to resign as a result of workplace discrimination and retaliation after she refused Archuleta’s advances, according to the lawsuit.

In a statement to The Norwalk Patriot, Archuleta denied the accusations.

“My entire career, I have supported the right of every Californian to feel safe, valued and protected in the workplace,” Archuleta said. “While I would never knowingly mistreat or disrespect a female employee, I believe in their absolute right to come forward and be heard if and when they believe that standard has been violated. Every voice has value.

“That’s why, from the beginning, I fully and wholeheartedly cooperated with the Senate’s independent investigation into the events in question and was prepared to stand by the outcome. It’s unfortunate for everyone involved that those independent proceedings were interrupted by this lawsuit.

“Bottom line: the lawsuit filed manufactures a whole new layer of gratuitous allegations, which were not raised until litigation was chosen as the way to go -- and which are completely and categorically false. look forward now to disproving those allegations in court.”

Archuleta, a Democrat from Pico Rivera, was elected to the California Senate in 2018, where he represents Downey and neighboring cities.