San Diego Mayor Bob Filner resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct and a sexual harassment lawsuit, according to Reuters.
Filner, 70, who is Jewish, resigned on Friday after making a deal with the city council. He agreed to leave office by Aug. 30 and the city said it would pay his legal expenses.
“You know I started my political career facing lynch mobs, and I think we have just faced one here in San Diego,” Filner said, according to Reuters. In the 1960s, Filner worked with the Freedom Riders, a civil rights group.
Thus far, 17 women have publicly accused Filner of acting inappropriately and sexually harassing them, Reuters said.
The City Council president will become the mayor until a special election is held within 90 days.
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