Carl DeMaio’s response to mounting questions about serious sexual harassment allegations regarding a former campaign staffer is only raising more concerns. So for five days, as San Diegans continue to grapple with another Bob Filner-esque scandal, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is highlighting the top five questions Carl DeMaio has left unanswered.
Today’s Question: If Carl DeMaio’s story is true, why is the San Diego Chief of Police Chief refusing to corroborate it?
In case you missed it, here are the 1st and 2nd questions still unanswered by Carl DeMaio’s campaign
From Tyrone Gayle, DCCC: “By refusing to confirm or deny if she personally called the primary suspect of a sexual harassment allegation – a scenario more likely found in a Law and Order: SVU episode than reality – public officials like San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman are leaving a lot of questions unanswered about Carl DeMaio.”
BACKGROUND:
Headline: SD police chief won’t say if she called Carl DeMaio about investigation [ABC10 News, 10/14/14]
VP of San Diego Police Officers Association & 20-Year Officer: “There is No Way @CarlDeMaio is Telling Truth about Chiefs Call.” @drolland @citybeatkelly @vosdscott @dillonliam been a cop almost 20yrs. There is no way @carldemaio is telling truth about chiefs call….” [Jeffrey T. Jordan Twitter, 10/10/14; San Diego Police Officers Association, Board of Directors, accessed 10/15/14]
DeMaio Said that Police Chief Told him the Sexual Harassment Matter was “Closed.” DEMAIO: All of our campaign members including myself freely provided information and the police chief called me and she said, “Thank you for your full cooperation” and, “We consider this matter closed.” MARK WALKER: Which matter? DEMAIO: The counter allegation from the… MARK WALKER: The harassment? DEMAIO: from the suspect in the criminal PERRY or STORYHOUND: You said police chief DEMAIO: From the criminal investigation. One of the reporters: You’re saying that Chief Zimmerman has assured you that part, is a closed matter? DEMAIO: Yes. And she informed me of this in August[.][DeMaio press conference, 10/08/14]
U-T San Diego Interpreted “Closed” Comment to Mean “Fully Investigated and Determined to be Unfounded.” “He also said San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman told him in August that the man’s allegations were fully investigated and determined to be unfounded.” [U-T San Diego, 10/08/14]
… But Police Spokesman Stated that Criminal Reports are Normally Forwarded to DA’s Office after Completion of Investigation. “Police spokesman Lt. Kevin Mayer issued a prepared statement: ‘Reports of any criminal activity received by the San Diego Police Department are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Once an investigation is complete, it is turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for review at which point we do not provide further comment about the names of potential victims, witnesses or alleged suspects.’” [U-T San Diego, 10/08/14]
… And the DA Office’s Statement Reflected the Police Statement. “The office’s only comment to date has been to say, ‘The District Attorney’s Office thoroughly reviews any investigation forwarded to our office by law enforcement.’” [U-T San Diego, 10/09/14]
DeMaio Admitted to Being Interviewed by Sex Crimes Detectives. PERRY: Were you interviewed by the sex crime detectives. DEMAIO: [Nods yes]. We were interviewed by the detectives. PERRY: We, you’re using the word we DEMAIO (talking over) Our entire campaign team… PERRY (talking over) How about an “I”? DEMAIO: All of our campaign members including myself freely provided information and the police chief called me and she said, “Thank you for your full cooperation” and, “We consider this matter closed.” MARK WALKER: Which matter? DEMAIO: The counter allegation from the… MARK WALKER: The harassment? DEMAIO: from the suspect in the criminal PERRY or STORYHOUND: You said police chief DEMAIO: From the criminal investigation. [DeMaio press conference, 10/08/14]