An investigation into sexual assault allegations against Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli is now in the hands of the state Attorney General's office, due to a conflict of interest.
Sonoma County prosecutors have handed over the case to Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office because one of the six women, the latest to level allegations of alcohol-fueled sexual assaults, is a Sonoma County prosecutor.
The District Attorney referred the case to the Attorney General’s office after learning that Deputy DA Esther Lemus, also a member of the Windsor Town Council, had leveled allegations against Foppoli.
The sorted mess disappointed Sonoma County Board of Supervisor’s Chair Linda Hopkins, who voted today to remove Foppoli from his appointment just last week to the Golden Gate Bridge Board of Directors.
“There are a lot of questions that remain to be answered and I think it’s very clear that we need to do better in local government to empower survivors and whistleblowers that come forward, and also to create mechanisms to hold leaders accountable,” Hopkins told KCBS Radio.
In an exclusive interview with KCBS Radio, Lemus’ attorney said her client believes she was assaulted on several occasions last year after a drug was slipped into her drink.
Foppoli, who denied all allegations of sexual assault, has been removed from the family wine business, and faces an effort to recall him from office.