(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — A California state senator accused of sexual misconduct resigned Thursday just ahead of a possible vote to expel him, delivering a scathing resignation letter that called the investigation a farce and underscored the Legislature’s struggle to respond to the #MeToo movement. He left office on Thursday with an incendiary resignation letter that blasted his colleagues and questioned the legitimacy of the three-month investigation into his conduct, saying he was not given “any opportunity to defend myself.”

He took particular aim at Kevin de Leon, the leader of the Democratic-controlled Senate, who is running for the United States Senate in a bid to unseat the incumbent, Dianne Feinstein. “I shall resign my position as senator with immediate effect as it is clear that Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León will not rest until he has my head on a platter to convince the MeToo movement of his ‘sincerity’ in supporting the MeToo cause,” he wrote in his resignation letter. De Leon said the Legislature “won’t tolerate abuse of power and a pattern of behavior that violates our harassment standards.”

Mendoza is the third California lawmaker to resign over sexual misconduct allegations since the #MeToo movement erupted nationally last fall, leading millions of women to share their experiences on social media. De Leon, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Dianne Feinstein, said the Legislature “won’t tolerate abuse of power and a pattern of behavior that violates our harassment standards.”

An investigation found that Mendoza likely engaged in unwanted “flirtatious or sexually suggestive” behavior with six women, including four subordinates, a lobbyist and a young woman in a fellowship with another lawmaker. He also has accused Senate leaders, including Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, of denying him due process in what Mendoza called “a secret investigation of my case.”

Mendoza had taken a leave of absence in January after allegations against him first surfaced, and that leave was extended for 60 days by the Rules Committee without his consent. Mendoza has repeatedly blasted the Senate's harassment investigation, and he continued that criticism in his resignation letter, calling the probe "farcical" and in violation of Senate rules and his own due process and constitutional rights.
California State Senator Tony Mendoza resigns after being investigated over sexual harassment claims.