Latest California #MeToo case spurs confidentiality concerns
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia — a leader in the #MeToo movement — took a voluntary unpaid leave of absence Friday amid an investigation into whether she groped a former legislative staff member in 2014.
It’s the latest claim against a lawmaker to go public. And the way it became public is drawing criticism from the man alleging the misconduct.
Daniel Fierro thought his claim would remain confidential when he shared his story last month with his old boss, Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, a Democrat. Calderon followed state legislative protocol and took it to the Assembly’s Rules Committee, which investigates claims.
Days after Calderon made the report, Fierro said, to his surprise, several journalists and a politically connected acquaintance called him to ask about his claim.