Sunday Gossip: L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar Reveals Affair With Staffer

Ooops! While I was busy grading papers this weekend a big local story broke in North East Los Angeles politics. My City Councilperson, Jose Huizar, is being sued for sexual harassment by a former staffer named Francine Godoy; Huizar has said that the two had a "consensual relationship" but denies the harassment allegations. The drama is because Huizar has had a reputation as something of a "boy scout" and is married with four kids, including a daughter that was recently diagnosed with cancer. He is the first Mexican immigrant to be elected to the Los Angeles City Council.

Huizar has been my City Councilperson since he won a special election to replace Antonio Villaraigosa in 2005, representing various parts of North East Los Angeles like the neighborhoods of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, El Sereno and Boyle Heights. Among blogging circles, Huizar's relationship with his female deputy chief of staff has long been a subject of speculation.

Huizar has already filed to run for re-election in March 2015. He won re-election in 2011 after a  contentious race with Rudy Martinez. Los Angeles City Councilmembers are limited to three terms in office.