Sacramento Councilman Accused Of Harassment Says Public Should Be Concerned About Public Officials

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A Sacramento City Councilman facing a sexual harassment claim from a former staffer returned to the council chambers on Thursday.

Allen Warren entered city hall facing questions on camera about a staffer's sexual harassment claim filed against him.

"I will say the allegations are false," he said.

The details in the claim describe an alleged sexual relationship between Warren and a staffer, reading she submitted to warren's sexual demands.

The claim follows another sexual harassment claim filed against Mayor Kevin Johnson that the city attorney denied, declaring it was not substantiated.

A third sexual harassment claim against a separate non-elected city employee is also under investigation.

CBS13's Steve Large asked Warren about the perceived pattern of behavior in city hall.

"The public should be concerned about what's happening with our elected officials. Absolutely," he said.

In response to the new scrutiny on city hall transparency, Johnson directed a council committee to present a package of ethics reforms for discussion by next month.

An outside coalition of political groups is pushing their own reform package.