SACRAMENTO — The California Assembly said Monday it denied a former lawmaker's appeal of an investigation that found he sexually harassed a lobbyist in 2016.
Former Assemblyman Matt Dababneh had appealed the finding that he likely pushed the lobbyist into a bathroom at a Las Vegas party and masturbated in front of her while urging her to touch him. Lobbyist Pamela Lopez publicly made the accusation against Dababneh last December and submitted a complaint to the Assembly Rules Committee, which hired an outside investigator.
The Assembly Rules Committee told Dababneh in a letter dated Friday that his appeal was reviewed and rejected.
Dababneh denies harassing Lopez and is suing her for defamation. Representatives for Dababneh did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Lopez said she hopes the Assembly's rejection of Dababneh's appeal encourages other women to speak out about sexual harassment.