CA Senator Accused Of Inappropriate Behavior

ARTESIA, CA -- A state senator representing southeast Los Angeles County is accused of inappropriate behavior. Mendoza, D-Artesia, allegedly invited a female staffer to his home, according to a KCRA report.

"The home Mendoza allegedly invited the young staff member to is his home in Sacramento, where Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon rents a room," according to the news report.

In a statement to the news station, Mendoza said the allegations were "completely news to me." He told KCRA he wouldn't "intentionally put an employee into an awkward or uncomfortable position."

But, the allegations are true said three other staffers. In fact, the staffers said they were fired after they reported Mendoza's behavior, an attorney representing the ex-employees told Capital Public Radio.

The employees were reportedly fired after they approached the state's Rules Committees about Mendoza's behavior, according to Capital Public Radio report.

“Maybe because the senator has powerful friends, maybe because it’s a rigged process to begin with that people have to report to Rules Committee, which has sitting members and elected officials serving on it – what happened after those reports were made was that they were fired,” the attorney told Capital Public Radio.

According to KCRA, the state is investigating the allegations.

The news comes after female leaders in California launched a campaign to speak out against the sexual harassment they have faced during their careers. The campaign is joined by more than 100 powerful female leaders.

Mendoza has served in the senate since 2014 after serving in the state Assembly for six years. He also served as a councilman in the city of Artesia.

--Photo by Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press