O.C. lawmaker resigns after allegedly caught discussing his trysts with lobbyists [Updated]

Read more in Thursday's Times: Assemblyman Mike Duvall resigns after his sex comments are broadcast

[Updated at 12:50 p.m.: Assemblyman Michael Duvall has resigned, according to his website, where he posted this statement:

“I am deeply saddened that my inappropriate comments have become a major distraction for my colleagues in the Assembly, who are working hard on the very serious problems facing our state. I have come to the conclusion that it would not be fair to my family, my constituents or to my friends on both sides of the aisle to remain in office. Therefore, I have decided to resign my office, effective immediately, so that the Assembly can get back to work.”]

Capitol Blackberries are buzzing after KCAL-TV Los Angeles late Tuesday night aired a videotape of what its reporter said was an Orange County GOP lawmaker talking to a colleague at a committee hearing in explicit detail about recent trysts.

In the KCAL report, Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Michael Duvall (R-Yorba Linda) appears not to realize that his microphone is on during a lull in a July committee hearing and talks about his conquest of two women.

Reporter Dave Lopez then reports that Duvall says on the tape that the women with whom he has been having sex are lobbyists.

The report alleges that one of the lobbyists works for a utility with business before Duvall's committee but does not name her.

Later in the report, Duvall is seen ducking Lopez on the Assembly floor and in the hallways outside the chamber as the reporter confronts him with questions about his sexual encounters.

[Updated at 10:13 a.m.: The Assembly Legislative Ethics Committee is looking into the reports about Duvall's alleged relationship with the lobbyist, a source close to the committee said this morning.

Members of the ethics panel plan to meet today with their legal counsel to determine what action they might take, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak for the committee.

"They are taking this very seriously," the source said.

Meanwhile, Duvall posted this apology on his campaign website:  “I made a mistake and I sincerely apologize. I deeply regret the comments I made in what I believed to be a private conversation. This is a private matter and I ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved.”]

Duvall joined the Assembly in 2006, representing the 72nd District, which includes the cities of Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia, Orange, Brea, Yorba Linda and La Habra.

He is a former Yorba Linda City Councilman and member of the Orange County Sanitation District board and Orange County Transportation Authority. According to his Assembly website, he also runs an insurance business with his wife.

-- Evan Halper reporting from Sacramento

Credit: Mike Duvall campaign office

Comments

[Eddie Tucker]

Gee, another Republican politican caught with his... Hmm, I bet a good researcher could find lots of "family values" references in this guy's speeches.

Why am I not surprised?

Eddie Tucker

[boo boo]

Caught in the act!
Sex runs this country, this old perv will sign ANYTHING for a lil love & a couple kisses!
When are we the people going to wake up and see that our politicians are ripping us off while they get incredible health care and all the free love a man can ask for.
What is the definition of a politician?
I think it's time to come up with some new definitions because it seems like they are more like prostitutes than public servants.

[John Shaft]

More comedy from the party of family values!

[stephygee]

Uhm...busted?

[Angelou]

Republicans complained about Obama giving a speech to children about working hard and staying in school. I bet Republicans are going to complain much, much, more about this Republican having sex with lobbyists. If they don't it only means they are a bunch of hypocrites and Political Terrorists.

[Angelou]

See! just because you carry an American flag on the lapel of your coat does not mean you care about America, or that you have America's best interest in mind. Reminds me of Sarah Palin who used her handicaped child and elderly parents as a pawns to spread lies about Death panels and euthanazia in order to terrorize our elderly. She also likes to flaunt an American flag on her coats.

[Duvall Must Resign]

Hey, Duvall, if you want to live up to "family values" you preach for others... you best resign. These actions hurt the republican party as a whole...and that's just plain stupid.

Republicans, I suggest you move your "family values" platform into the libertarian realm or you're going to get burned time and time again because we're all humans and have urges.

Even Bill Clinton is guilty of engaging in questionable behavior while married... But at least he didn't have a bunch of sniveling liberals coming after him for it.He had a bunch of sniveling conservatives coming after him but not necessarily because of the act but rather he lied about it afterwards.

[Wade]

From OCWeekly: "In 2008, 
Duvall blasted efforts to condone gay marriage." I wonder if Mr. Duvall feels that gay matrimony is more of a threat to the sanctity of his own marriage than his affair with this lobbyist. Another day, another Gee-Oh-Pee hypocrite.

[Will]

Just love the family values of OC. Sacramento is really the hotspot of California when the whole State is in the toilet. Coincidence I guess.

[Scott McGreer]

What an idiot... The man is a disgrace to democracy.

[Bill Clinton]

I never had sex with that woman.

[carson grey]

Why is it not surprising that this is a member of 'Family Values' platform?
This is the most repugnant display of greed and lust. It's amazing that anybody can stand behind the Family Values banter anymore.

[Dr. Mike Frazier]

THROW ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS OUT OF OFFICE AT THEIR NEXT ELECTION ! I MEAN ALL OF THEM - EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. CLEAN SWEEP FROM CA to CT.

[JAC]

Does it surprise anyone that he is a conservative republican? Thus continuing to prove they are the most self-serving, hypocrital leaders of this country.

[Duude]

Sounds like a presidential candidate to me!

[Dave Putana]

No doubt he had to promise to vote her way first before getting the goodies!

[xGOPinNE Ohio]

Well at least the Republicans can breathe another sigh of relief that at least it wasn't with a page, or a man. It's no big surprise this goes on both sides of the aisle, I wonder if he is married and if he is will she stand by him or show him the door?

[JD]

Funny...but I'll go out a limb and predict the nation will somehow survive this.

[Denise C.]

Duvall has been honored and praised for his "fight" to protect and preserve family values for us here in California. Chapman University gave him their "Ethics in America Award" a few years ago. He's married with two children and he's a liar, a cheat, a phony and a hypocrite - and he's a republican - O, I already said that right after married with two children. We need to add one more description - UNEMPLOYED. Get the heck out you filthy,dirty piece of work - resign NOW.

[MassM22]

Instead of pyramid schemes, he's involved in a naked twister scheme

[C. Cliveden]

What will we tell the children????

Wake up, Republican voters... your elected officials think you are morons..... hold him responsible.

[William Dawes]

Like the drip, drip, drip of water torture, our representative democracy is slowly but surely wearing away. We may have survived Bill Clinton's Easter Egg Hunt, Barney Frank's in-home business, and Mike Duvall's rank hypocrisy, but if voters don't wake up, it will be too late. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. If Democrats are willing to put up with the likes of their ego-centrists and Republicans are willing to put up with their narcissists, then the nation has no future. If you haven't researched the candidates before you go to the polls to vote, THEN JUST STAY AT HOME. Feeling good about somebody, whether it's the candidate's "family values" or the candidate's "empathy", that's not enough. Don't vote based on emotions and feelings. Otherwise, we'll keep getting what we've got.

[Banjo]

If Duvall were a Democrat, excuses would be made as they were for Teddy Kennedy. As he is a Republican, he will resign or be forced out. Big difference.

[GG]

Dbag.

[sylvia novoa]

Shame on him and shame on everyone who knew. The fact that he had numerous affairs is between him and his wife. The fact that he was having affairs with paid lobbyists and fellow lawmakers knew and did nothing about it is scary. How could other lawmakers take his votes seriously? Was the public interest truly served? We all have our own secrets and demons but when they affect public policy we should question the individuals ability to continue serving. We should also question those who took an oath to protect the public's interest and then looked the other way when they listened to the assemblymember's locker room stories and did nothing about it.

[Ken]

"This is a private matter and I ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved."

You having sex with lobbyists that you oversee is not a private matter. As for respecting privacy, your anti-gay marriage stance says a lot about how you view other people's privacy.

I am sure you will rot in hell for your hypocrisy.

[Da Maverick]

Spanking...underwear fetish...dirty talk...having not one but TWO extra-marrital going on simultaneously...lobbyist using the most persuasive tool in the playbook to get their way for their industry...

What's that you say about Obama being a socialist? That he takes out his WIFE for dinner? Oh right, now I remember what channel we're on.

-Fox News

[thebob.bob]

It's astounding how these "family values" types can look at themselves in the mirror. It's one thing to cavort with two different women you're not married and even play spanky with them. But when you are publicly expounding on the importance and sanctity of the family and of marriage and the lack of these values in you're political rivals, the gall, the hypocrisy is breathtaking.

Join the ranks of all the other Republicans praying for forgiveness for their sinful selves. Just stop insisting in the purity of your despicable, hate-filled Party!

[Pete]

A "private matter?" Not if your screwing lobbyists...particularly lobbyists with business before your committee.

[jkr]

Power, politics, and lobbyists--all in the name of family values.
This sort of governance is unacceptable. Ethics oversight needs
to oust him from office, not just a reprimand--set an example.

[mufasah]

Confucius say: "Man who make love to girl on hill... he not on level!"

[SV]

Where is the "morals clause" in their employement contract? (LOL) Why don't we make all elected officials commit to not drinking and driving, illegal drug use, sleeping with multiple people they are not married to, molesting children, creating off shore banking account, or refusing to pay taxes? If they void the contact, they waive their pension and life long medical benefits. Its about time we taxpayers start making them tow the line.

[OC]

if he was a democrat it wouldn't even been made public. bc he is a republican, they wanna ring him.

[hal9000]

i have stopped everything to catch the dave lopez reports for well over 10 years. he was there when the company i worked for, "fedco" closed. we were told not to talk to him. today dave lopez looks better then ever. in this report he looked like a "man on fire".

[Gov. Mark Sanford (NC)]

Hey Mike! But was she your soul mate?

[Alan]

this is not a personal matter. the women in question are both lobbyists representing groups that Duvall has influence over as a member of state committees. this is neither a "right" or "left" wing, republican/democrat or any other red herring. it's a matter of undue influence in our governmental body (no pun intended!) and is a threat to the proper governance of our state, and the coopting of our democracy. please investigate and report on the findings.

[Wow]

"This is a private matter and I ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved.”

No it's not you dirtbag! Not only is it hypocritical its against the law to have such a relationship with a lobbyist and not report it. We all lose by your actions, so no you cannot pull the "private matter" card. Its great for all to see what a cheat you are. Why is it that your privacy when the Republican Party has a records of deciding what rights are afforded to others. By the way Casanova, if you didn't have that committee assignment, she would have walked right past you. She appears to be a prostitute of the highest order and you are merely her "john". Dirtbag, and by dirtbag I mean a similar word that would probably keep this from being posted.

[dee dee]

Another "trusted" politician "busted". The truth will always come out.

Dee Dee

[so messy]

... so messy!

[Kevin Andrews]

A more graphic example of hypocrisy from the politicians (whores) who populate every State House, Washington, DC and the system as it exists now. This creature is known and it is only now that the "ethics" are questioned because of the publicity. That's a statement of Amerika as it exists post Bush if ever one appeared.
Get with the program America; demand accountability, demand balanced budgets and restore America to a position of leadership on a global basis by cleaning house.
Stop the Wars in the Middle East, Stop the Wars at home and provided funding to Universal Health Care and restoration of the opportunities of America for all people.

[Eve]

Another Republican hypocrite; they sure like to point the finger at the Democrats but at least the Demos don't scream "family values" as the GOP and Fox News does. The Republicans have had a record year for sex outside of marriage. How will Fox News handle this scandal? We've all known Repubs like to get in bed with lobbyists. Health insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, utility companies - you name it- have done well with the GOP. She wanted his chile and he wanted her tomatoes so they could make guacamole together.

[the watchdog]

oh my...i am so surprised. a lobbyist is having sex with a married public official who has oversight of the business she is lobbying for. this is unheard of in our society...RIGHT! Well I for one am "shocked...shocked...to find gambling going on here"...isn't that the line from casablanca when captain reneau gets his gambling winnings...well i am just shocked by this behavior of our "trusted" public servants...just how much is this clown making a year...and what is his public pension like...OVERPAID STOOGE...but we are all the fools for letting these guys fleece us year in and year out....my advice....THROW THE RASCALS OUT!!!

[Arash Yarpezeshkan]

Wow. Another hpyocrite family values republican is exposed by himself! I love it. When will these people stop with their moralizing and lecturing others about christian famnily values? Mr.Duvall should resign from this office immeiditaely or be brought up on ethics charges. Having an affair with two lobbyists who do business before your committee is wrong and illegal.

[elleneyegreen]

I'd like to know what happened to my post, which would've been the first one. I guess since lobbyists are now officially exposed,engaging in prostitution, The L.A. Times didn't like my comment...Bribery and prostitution=lobbyists. Lobbying should be criminalized, it is after all, political pandering that behooves only private interests while all public interests are stomped on and spat upon. All offending elected officials should be replaced - immediately. I wonder if this post will make it...

[Tony H]

Please don't misrepresent conservative opposition to the President's stay-in-school speech. The main objection was the abandoned lesson plan and the Dept of Education's promotion of the curricula in violation of its charter. Clearly the Administration realized they have overreached or they wouldn't have suddenly pulled back from the abyss. The amazing thing is that liberals found this acceptable, particularly when Bush I's 1991 education speech led to not one but two separate congressional hearings. And Bush I published his speech in advance, didn't propose a lesson plan, didn't use the DOE to promote the curricula and didn't have a history of hijacking the educational apparatus (Annenberg Challenge) to implement radical change. Some of you would reflexively eat Ostrich dung were the President ot advocate for its merits.

[B. Anthony]

So, just in case you were losing track of the GOP hypocrisy scandals out there:

Mark Sanford – votes to impeach Bill Clinton for having an affair and lying about it, and then has an affair and lies about it and pays for it with state funds.

John Ensign – calls for the impeachment of Bill Clinton, says ‘he has no credibility left’, then has an affair with a staff member while giving her family members jobs with public funds.

Larry Craig – attacks ‘nasty boy’ Bill Clinton repeatedly for having an extramarital affair, then gets caught soliciting gay sex in a bathroom by a police officer.

Mark Foley – attacks Clinton’s “vile” affair and then spends several years having sex with young male pages and covering it up.

David Vitter – calls for the resignation of Bill Clinton while having a multi-year relationship with ‘the DC Madam’.

Newt Gingrich – had enough sense not to attack Clinton because he was already having sex with future wife number three, Calista something or other, while Clinton was having his affair.

Tom DeLay – leads the move to impeach Clinton while he is engaged in bribery and corruption scams for which he is ultimately convicted and sentenced to prison.

Ed Schrock (R-VA) – another conservative ‘family values’ Republican here in Virginia with a 90% rating from the Christian Coalition who resigns after being outed in a gay sex scandal

Helen Chenowith (R-ID)- staunchly conservative Republican Congresswoman who called for the resignation of Bill Clinton while she was having an affair herself, got caught, and said, ‘that’s different’.

Bob Allen (R-FL)- another conservative Republican ‘family values’ Congressman until he was caught solicitiing sex with a male police officer.

And now... Mike Duvall.

[RAW]

Member of the Orange County Sanitation District board? Yupp, straight from the gutter.
I'm amazed that this guy doesn't get the irony of his labeling the trysts 'conquests'. These women are paid lobbyists, so if they sleep with this politician, they do it for money. Sure, HE doesn't pay them for their sexual favors. The taxpayers do when they get the bill from the utility that hired these hookers. Disgusting.

[George]

Appropriately a member of The Orange County Sanitation District. Duvall was only elected to the Yorba Linda City Council and the Assembly because of his wife's parents money. Let's see how long THAT lasts!

[Brad Bergman]

"I made a mistake and I sincerely apologize."

WTF? Is he serious? He was bragging about it while being paid by the taxpayers of this state to do his job. My advice to him: Do the right thing and resign, give your wife the house and all you own, and just go crawl into a hole for the remainder of your life.

I'm so sick of these sycophantic, hypocritical politicians who brag about supporting family values to the public, but then behind our backs brag about screwing around.

[Errol Miller]

The video clip from Channel 9 fuzzed out the guy DuVall was talking to. Why are they protecting a public official who learned of this activity and remained quiet? Isn't he part of the same problem?

[Aaruni]

Classic! I believe that Mr. Duvall is also a high school dropout who has championed family values. Please check the OC Weekly's article on this story for a more informative story.

[Eric of Reseda]

"....in what I believed to be a private conversation. This is a private matter and I ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved.” FIRST, what difference does it make if it's a private conversation! Of COURSE it's a private conversation! This seems to be a popular technique these days amongst the guilty, as if to minimize the importance of the words. SECOND, you're a married, elected official having sex with lobbyists who have biz before you in your elected capacity! RESPECT YOUR PRIVACY?!? Get outta here, you unethical scumbag!

[Sultmhoor]

His site says he's resigned. So messy!

[Gorefan]

Update - he just resigned

[BaitSlinger]

Michael Duvall appears to be one big bigot. He sees women as something to be used for his own pleasure. I don't care if he is Republican or Democrat, someone that uses another human like he has these women are the lowest of the low. Of course, the women aren't all innocent in this either. The very act of prostituting themselves for political favors shows a strick lack of morals of any type on their part. I'm sure that all parties got the rersults desired at the cost of the citizens/voters.

[Yorba linda resident]

For those that point out the irony of a republican not following family values, I guess its better to be party of a party, like Clinton, where there are no family values and you can do what you want without being a hypocrite.

I am embarrased that Duval is such a pig.

Yorba Linda Resident.

[Dave Wyman]

Once again, a "family values" Republican can't walk the talk. And his "loose" talk has led him to the plank.

[Joshua]

It doesn't matter what your political affiliation is. The private parts are a party unto themselves.

[Fredo]

Sex with utility lobbyist(s)?
Shocking, Positively Shocking!

[RonAndNancy]

"Family
 Values" "Christian Values"

When I hear any politician say those words I Immediately think they are hypocrite - perverts.

Michael Duvall now joins, Gov Mark Sanford, Sen. John Ensign, John Edwards, Sen. Larry Craig ect..

But Duvall used a lobbyist prostitute!

[Jason]

He's sorry? How can you be sorry about something you were gloating about? B.S.

[no mo mex]

This is not an isolated incident. The fact that it was a private conversation doesn't make it ok to step out on your wife. We used to be appalled at this type of conduct but it's common place these days. Speaks volumes to the morals of the people elected to serve our interest.

[Joe]

Sounds like he's sorry he got caught, not that he did something wrong.

[McGurk]

Note how he regrets the COMMENTS he made, not his behavior.

[Bill Clinton]

Why is the firm(s) the 'lobbyists' were representing not mentioned? Why are the Reps. who were listening to his story and didn't walk away not mentioned?

[Linda - WI]

Wow! Can the Absolute uncaring, stupidity of all Right Wing cheaters get any worse?? Oh and maybe he won't be running his insurance business anymore, with his wife, once she gets wind her husband is banging lots of lobbiest whores.