On San Diego Mayor Bob Filner’s last official day in office, some of his accusers, as well as high-profile attorney Gloria Allred, celebrated the city official's resignation.
Allred was joined by 67-year-old great-grandmother Peggy Shannon, nurse Michelle Tyler and Marine vet Katherine Ragazzino.
Filner accuser Peggy Shannon said she does not regret coming forward about Mayor Filner and what she described as unwanted sexual advances that occurred while she worked as a volunteer at City Hall.
“It has been a difficult few weeks but I have persevered,” she said.
On Monday, Shannon said she was in the same room with the outgoing mayor.
“My heart stopped and I was very upset but I turned away until he went upstairs,” she said. “I was a victim but now I’m a survivor.”
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Allred decorated the table with flowers and balloons bearing the message "Filner Finished" and "Goodbye Bob." She also carried several gift bags containing what she called parting gifts.
They included a wallet card listing the rules of sexual harassment and a mirror so he can see who is really to blame, she said. She also offered a farewell card saying goodbye to the mayor and telling him she would see him at the deposition.
Allred was referring to the deposition for a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by her client Irene McCormack Jackson, the mayor's former communications director, who accused him of making lewd comments and touching her inappropriately.
“I’m thankful he decided to resign,” said Marine Katherine Ragazzino.
The wounded Marine met with Filner along with vocational nurse Michelle Tyler to seek help with an ongoing issue with Veterans Affairs. It was during that meeting that Tyler alleged Filner offered to help only in exchange for a date.
Since coming forward, Ragazzino said she had a positive, productive meeting with the VA arranged by Congressman Scott Peters’ office. She said Friday that her issues have been resolved.
“I still strongly encourage my fellow veterans to seek assistance,” she said.
By 5 p.m. Friday, Filner will no longer be mayor. San Diego City Council president Todd Gloria will step in immediately as interim mayor. A special election to determine a new mayor is slated for Nov. 19.
Meanwhile, sources close to Filner tell NBC 7 he’s attending continued, intensive therapy on a weekly basis to help with his undisclosed behavioral issues.
