Calls Sexual Harassment Accuser a Liar
Scott Jones sounded a lot like Donald Trump at last night’s debate in California’s 7th Congressional District. Jones, like Trump, has been dogged by sexual harassment allegations and – just like Trump – Jones took no responsibility, instead continuing his pattern of disrespect towards women.
From The Sacramento Bee:
Jones, meanwhile, faced queries about the legal morass that has gripped his department and leached into his congressional campaign. A deputy has accused Jones of making unwelcome sexual advances toward her between 2003 and 2005, allegations linked to a successful retaliation lawsuit brought by two current and two former female members of the Sheriff’s Department. The case has stretched more than six years and cost taxpayers at least $10 million.
Asked if his accuser was lying, Jones, who denied her charges under oath, replied, “Yes, she is lying.”
From Capital Public Radio:
Sheriff Scott Jones was put on the defense at the onset of the debate, when asked about a female deputy’s allegations that he made unwanted sexual advances.
“The allegations, I don’t why her value of saying them under oath is any more valuable than me denying them, under oath,” says Jones.
Jones has also followed Trump’s victim-blaming pattern by criticizing his accuser for taking so long to come forward.
The debate took place after several weeks of television ads highlighting the allegations and the release of a new poll showing Bera leading by 11 points. The first of these ads was rated “True” by the Sacramento Bee and PolitiFact rated Jones’ defense – that the “allegations…were found by two separate judges to not have merit” – as “False.”
“Every day Donald Trump finds new ways to disrespect women and Scott Jones is no different,” said Barb Solish of the DCCC. “Instead of addressing serious allegations of sexual harassment, Jones simply called his accuser a liar. That kind of behavior is unacceptable for anyone, but is disqualifying for someone seeking public office.”