Robert Earl (“Bob”) Filner resigned as mayor of San Diego last Friday, becoming the latest in a string of Jewish politicians laid low by their sexual improprieties.
The 70-year old Mr Filner, the city’s first Democratic mayor in 20 years, was accused by 18 women of groping and making lewd remarks. Among them were a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, a 67-year old great-grandmother, and a female Navy admiral.
He has been twice married and twice divorced, and his fiancée broke off their relationship after the sex charges surfaced.
The disgraced mayor, who resigned after the City Council agreed to pay his expenses to defend himself against legal suits, follows in the footsteps of two high-profile Jewish politicians.
Former New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer left office after proof that he consorted with highly-paid prostitutes, but is now running for the office of New York City comptroller.
Ex-Congressman Anthony Weiner resigned after repeatedly texting anatomically explicit photos of himself to a large number of women. He is now running for mayor of New York City.
In addition, Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee apologised after being caught tweeting a bikini model while listening to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.
Although the general media have not alluded to the Jewishness of the four politicians, New York Times correspondent Jodi Kantor observed: “These libidinous, self-sabotaging politicians are causing grimaces among fellow Jews.”
