Hueso Sticks to Claim DeMaio Touched Himself at City Hall

Originally published 3:55 p.m. Aug. 28.

Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, Wednesday reiterated his claim that he caught Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Councilman, masturbating in a City Hall men's room during a council meeting.

DeMaio is currently considering a second run for mayor or bid to represent California's 52nd Congressional District. 

Hueso represents Imperial Beach and other cities along the California-Mexico border.

Last week, the Voice of OC quoted Hueso saying he caught DeMaio in 2009 after he left the dais during a council meeting. Both men were on the council at the time.

According to the article, Hueso said DeMaio was "caught by surprise" and jumped when he walked in, and ran out after apologizing. Councilwoman Marti Emerald told the publication she saw Hueso come out of the restroom with a shocked expression, and he told her what happened.

DeMaio denied the claims in television and newspaper interviews and said he took a lie detector test to disprove the allegations.

In an interview with NBC 7/39 DeMaio called the claim "disgusting, humiliating and nothing more than a character assassination attempt."

"It's so gross. It's so false," he said.

But Hueso issued a statement Wednesday standing by his allegation.

"I was asked by the reporter if I witnessed an incident involving Council Member Carl DeMaio and I answered truthfully," Hueso said. "I would never maliciously disparage a person's character or impede their future with false or misleading information. This was difficult to share and I have nothing further to add."

DeMaio narrowly lost to outgoing Mayor Bob Filner in last November's runoff election and is exploring whether to run for the office a second time in a special election scheduled for this fall.

DeMaio had begun a campaign to oust Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, before Filner resigned over his own alleged sexual improprieties.

A recent poll found DeMaio and Nathan Fletcher have the most support among voters to become the next mayor of San Diego. A special election to replace Filner will take place Nov. 19, San Diego City Council declared Wednesday.

Council President Todd Gloria has not witnessed anything like what has been alleged, his spokeswoman told City News Service.

However, an aide to Emerald confirmed the councilwoman's account in the Voice of OC story to CNS.

Former council President Tony Young told NBC 7/39 he never witnessed "inappropriate behavior" on his ex-colleague's part.

–City News Service contributed to this report.