California Lawmaker Reprimanded For 'Unacceptable' Behavior

CALIFORNIA -- The state Senate on Tuesday released an investigation that found Sen. Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) threatened to slap a female lobbyist from the California Nurses Association during a gathering at a Sacramento restaurant.

USA Today reported Stephanie Roberson from the nurses union filed a complaint earlier this year accusing the longtime lawmaker of rubbing her shoulders before making the threat.

"Anderson then said to Roberson that he ought to slap her, or 'words very close to those words' the investigation found," USA Today reported. "No witnesses said Anderson ever tried to physically hit her."

Anderson denied allegations that he threatened to slap Roberson when the claim was filed in August. However, "Four witnesses substantiated Roberson’s, not Anderson’s, version of events, according to the investigation," USA Today reported.

In a statement to Patch, Anderson said "“As the report states, at issue was the context of our conversation. The investigation doesn’t substantiate all the wild claims reported in the press, and I stand by my original statement.”

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Senator Joel Anderson (R), introduces NAMM Board member, Barbara Wight on the on the floor of the Senate during the Stand Up 4 Music Advocacy Drive In on May 18, 2018 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Brian Baer/Getty Images for NAMM