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Former Staffer: California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia Fired Him After He Resisted Playing Spin The Bottle

  •  Ben Adler 
Sunday, February 18, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

California Asm. Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) calls for a tax on liquor products to pay for the removal of the sales tax on diapers and tampons at a state Capitol news conference on March 9, 2017.

Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

There is a new, on-the-record sexual harassment allegation against California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia – one of the #MeToo movement’s most prominent voices at the state Capitol.

One of Garcia’s former staffers, David Kernick, has filed a complaint with the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Kernick’s claim, first obtained by Politico, alleges that in June 2014, his employment was terminated shortly after he complained about Garcia asking him to join her in a game of Spin the Bottle in her hotel room. That’s a game where players sit in a circle and take turns spinning the bottle – and must kiss the person it points at when it stops.

Kernick is one of four former staffers whose lawyer sent a letter to the California Assembly accusing Garcia of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. So far, the other three are remaining anonymous.

Garcia’s office declined comment Sunday. But in a previous Facebook post, she said she’s confident she’s treated her staff fairly and respectfully.

“In a fast-paced legislative office, not everyone is the right fit for every position, and I do understand how a normal employment decision could be misinterpreted by the individual involved in that decision,” Garcia wrote.

Earlier this month, a former staffer to another member of the Assembly accused Garcia of cornering and groping him after the Legislative softball game four years ago. That led Garcia to take an unpaid leave of absence while the allegation is investigated.


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    More about We Said Enough

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    We Said Enough

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  • Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

    Assembly Investigation Clears #MeToo Lawmaker Cristina Garcia Of Groping Male Staffer But Says She Used Vulgar Language

    Thursday, May 17, 2018
    A California Assembly investigation into complaints of sexual harassment by Democrat Cristina Garcia has found the most severe allegations to be unsubstantiated. But it did substantiate lesser complaints against the assemblywoman.
  • #MeToo Assemblywoman Defends Herself Against Harassment Allegations, But Comments Spark Backlash

    Tuesday, March 27, 2018
    The California Assemblywoman who’s led the #MeToo movement in Sacramento is speaking out for the first time about the sexual harassment allegations against her — even as the investigation into those allegations continues.
  • Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

    California Lawmaker Cristina Garcia Takes Leave Of Absence Amid Capitol Sexual Harassment Investigation

    Friday, February 9, 2018
    Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia has been one of the most outspoken state lawmakers against sexual misconduct in California politics. Now she’s taking a leave of absence while an investigation against her proceeds.
  • Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

    California Legislature’s Women’s Caucus Chair Cristina Garcia Takes Unpaid Leave Following Sexual Harassment Allegations

    Thursday, February 8, 2018
    California Asm. Cristina Garcia—the chair of the Legislature’s Women’s Caucus and an original signer of the We Said Enough letter that sparked the #MeToo movement at the state Capitol—is now the subject of a sexual harassment investigation herself

 We Said Enough

Ben Adler

Director of Programming and Audience Development

Director of Programming and Audience Development Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool — though not necessarily by choice.  Read Full Bio 

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