Filner guilty plea: Ex-San Diego mayor banned from public office

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Bob Filner enters the San Diego council chambers to announce that he is resigning as mayor as his supporters applaud in the background. He was publicly accused of sexual harassment by many women. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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In the San Diego City Council chambers Bob Filner announces he is resigning as mayor. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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As Bob Filner addresses the City Council, the official San Diego city statement is projected on a screen. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria, right, listens to public comment about Mayor Bob Filner during a special meeting in the council chambers. Later in the afternoon, Filner appeared and announced his resignation, with Gloria appointed interim mayor. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

By Tony Perry

Oct. 15, 2013 2:42 PM PT

SAN DIEGO -- Former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner on Tuesday agreed to give up most of his mayoral pension and never again run for office in exchange for avoiding jail time related to criminal charges that grew out of the sexual harassment allegations that drove him from office.

Under the plea agreement, Filner on Tuesday pleaded guilty to one felony count of false imprisonment and two misdemeanor counts of battery. The charges, filed by the state attorney general’s office in San Diego County Superior Court, relate to three alleged victims, identified in court papers as Jane Doe 1, 2 and 3.

The felony count involves allegations of false imprisonment by violence, fraud, menace and deceit.

The count alleges that Filner used “undue” force to hold a woman against her will.

The battery counts involve accusations that he kissed one woman and grabbed another by the buttocks.

In addition to the agreement on running for office and his pension, Filner also agreed to spend three months in home confinement. He will also undergo treatment as “directed by a mental health professional” during his three years of probation.

The felony count could have brought a maximum sentence of three years in prison, each misdemeanor count a maximum of 12 months in jail.

During his probation, Filner may not vote, serve on a jury or own a firearm, prosecutors said.

Filner, 71, the city’s first Democratic mayor in 20 years, resigned Aug. 30 after cutting a deal with the City Council for the city to defend him against a sexual-harassment lawsuit filed by an ex-staffer.

All nine council members had called for his resignation.

In a six-week span before his resignation, 19 women had gone public with allegations that Filner had made sexual advances, including lewd comments and unwanted touching.

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