Duvall resigns from Assembly after taped sex talk surfaces
By Torey Van Oot and Jim Sanders
tvanoot@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2009 - 10:49 am
Last Modified: Thursday, Sep. 10, 2009 - 11:38 am
Republican Assemblyman Mike Duvall resigned from office today after revelations that he described lewd details of two sexual affairs at a televised committee hearing.
The resignation came after Assembly Speaker Karen Bass today stripped Duvall, R-Yorba Linda, of his spot as vice-chair of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee following reports of a long-term affair he has carried on with a female utility company lobbyist.
"I am deeply saddened that my inappropriate comments have become a major distraction for my colleagues in the Assembly, who are working hard on the very serious problems facing our state," Duvall said in a statement on his campaign Web site. "I have come to the conclusion that it would not be fair to my family, my constituents or to my friends on both sides of the aisle to remain in office. Therefore, I have decided to resign my office, effective immediately, so that the Assembly can get back to work."
Duvall, who is married, was caught on tape at an Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing relating lurid details about the affair.
Duvall describes his mistress' "eye-patch underwear," boasts about the 18-year age difference between the two and shares dicey details about their sex life.
"So, I am getting into spanking her. Yeah, I like it. I like spanking her. She goes, 'I know you like spanking me.' I said, 'Yeah! Because you're such a bad girl!" he says in the recording.
The married assemblyman also refers to an affair with a second woman.
"She is hot. I talked to her yesterday, she goes, 'Are we finished?' I go, 'No, we're not finished.' I go, 'You know about the other one, but she doesn't know about you!'"
Today, after details were reported on KCBS/KCAL television and in the OC Weekly, Duvall issued an apology on his campaign Web site. "I made a mistake and I sincerely apologize," the statement said. "I deeply regret the comments I made in what I believed to be a private conversation. This is a private matter and I ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved."
Duvall also was removed from the Assembly Rules Committee, which oversees members' ethics issues. Bass said she has directed the committee to look into the matter.
"I am saddened and disappointed in the recent comments made by Assemblymember Mike Duvall. There is no question his comments were inappropriate. ... The Assembly has some very important policy work to complete in the next couple of days and we will not allow this situation to become a distraction," Bass said in a statement issued before Duvall resigned.
Sempra Energy issued a statement today about the developments.
"Sempra Energy takes very seriously any reports involving the conduct of our employees," the statement says. "We are investigating this matter and the recent media reports that named one of our employees. The employee has denied the speculative media reports. Our investigation will be conducted to ensure not only that our policies on employee conduct are strictly adhered to, but also that our employee is treated fairly."