California legislator takes leave amid inquiry
SACRAMENTO, Calif._ A Los Angeles-area assemblywoman has voluntarily taken leave of her seat Friday after facing allegations of sexual harassment, an unusual twist of the gender dynamics shaping the misconduct controversies engulfing California's state Capitol.
Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, a Democrat, denied allegations that she made inappropriate advances on two men: a then-legislative staffer and a lobbyist. In a statement, she said she would take an unpaid leave of absence from the Legislature while she faces an investigation into her conduct.
"As I've said before, any claims about sexual harassment must be taken seriously, and I believe elected officials should be held to a higher standard of accountability," Garcia said Friday.
The 40-year-old lawmaker now finds herself in a stark reversal of roles, from vanguard of California's political #MeToo movement who shared her
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