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SoCal Lawmaker Faced Discipline For Sexual Harassment

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- A Los Angeles-area Democratic lawmaker is apologizing for sexually harassing a woman in 2009 when he was a legislative staff member.

Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra is the first sitting California lawmaker to be publicly identified for facing discipline over sexual harassment allegations since a letter was circulated last week saying there is a "pervasive" culture of sexual harassment at the Capitol.

Bocanegra tells the Los Angeles Times he is "deeply regretful."

Raul Bocanegra
Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra. (Bocanegra Campaign)

The Times reports Elise Flynn Gyore reported Bocanegra in 2009 after he put his hands in her blouse at an after-work gathering when both were legislative staff members. A letter published by the Times details an investigation that found Bocanegra "more likely than not" engaged in the behavior.

Bocanegra was elected to the Assembly in 2012.

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