A flurry of accusations continues to engulf what was one of the most dramatic national races of 2014–namely, Carl DeMaio versus Scott Peters in the battle over San Diego’s 52nd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Last Friday, the former campaign staffer that made sexual harassment allegations against DeMaio in the late stages of the campaign pled guilty to falsifying later claims that DeMaio had sent threatening emails.
In the final weeks of the 2014 campaign, former DeMaio campaign staffer Todd Bosnich accused DeMaio of sexual harassment, and accused another campaign staffer of offering $50,000 if Bosnich would sign a non-disclosure agreement upon being fired. Both Bosnich and DeMaio are homosexual. DeMaio flatly denied the harassment claims and later accused Bosnich of a campaign office break-in.
San Diego County District Attoryney Bonnie Dumanis announced in 2014 that, after investigating claims from both parties, no charges would be filed in either the harassment or break-in, according to the Huffington Post. (DeMaio had lost to Democrat Bob Filner in the 2012 election for San Diego mayor. Filner was shortly thereafter ousted from his position over sexual harassment allegations.)
Last Friday the Bosnich claims came up again, as he appeared in federal court over additional claims that DeMaio had sent him threatening emails regarding the harassment claims. The FBI investigated these additional claims, and Bosnich admitted that he had created the fake email and sent the emails to himself. He pled guilty to obstruction of justice, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern California. He said that he did so in order to bolster his sexual harassment claims, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Prosecutors were careful to note the case applies specifically to the threatening emails, and the sexual misconduct allegations were not further investigated.
DeMaio provided the following statement to Breitbart News:
Todd Bosnich’s lies were incredibly painful, smeared my reputation and derailed our Congressional campaign. While the criminal prosecution today may hold Bosnich accountable on some level, Congressman Scott Peters shares responsibility for promoting Bosnich’s smears and lies for political gain.
I want to thank the FBI and US Attorney for pursuing the truth and seeking justice in this matter. I also want to thank the thousands of supporters who stood by me and saw this disgusting smear for what it was. Your faith and support sustained me through this nightmare.
MaryAnne Pintar, 2014 Campaign Manager for Congressman Scott Peters told Breitbart News:
Lying to law enforcement is inexcusable. And Todd was caught because of information we turned over to the police. Carl blaming our campaign for this mess is also inexcusable. We didn’t make these accusations against him; two of his formerly loyal Republican staffers did. This mess came from his operation, not ours.
Pintar said in 2014 that Bosnich contacted her to meet, according to<U-TWatchdog information. During their meeting on June 5, 2014, Bosnich allegedly provided proofs of DeMaio campaign mailers, and a CD with a June 2 interview containing his sexual harassment allegations to her. She stated that she gave the documents to Peters on June 6, who then gave the documents to his wife to hand over to police. She contacted police on June 9, who then picked up the documents June 11.
Bosnich faces up to 20 years in prison. He is currently out on $10,000 bail while he awaits his August 31 sentencing, according to the U-T.
California’s 52nd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives was long held by moderate Republican Brian Bilbray until Peters overtook him, winning the position in 2012.
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana
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