FBI clears former Assemblyman Mike Duvall
Former Assemblyman Mike Duvall of Yorba Linda will not face any federal charges after an FBI investigation into his comments, made over an open microphone, that he had a sexual relationship with a woman who was widely believed to be a Sempra Energy lobbyist, officials announced today.
In response, Sempra said it has reinstated the lobbyist to active status as an employee. Lobbyist Heidi Barsuglia issued a statement saying, “This experience has been a professional and personal nightmare. I did nothing whatsoever illegal or unethical with former Assemblyman Duvall or anyone else."
Duvall, a Republican, was vice chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Utilities and Commerce when he made the remarks. He resigned Sept. 9 after his comments, videotaped during a lull in legislative proceedings, were broadcast over the Internet. The FBI interviewed some of his former employees after he quit.
In a statement released today, U.S. Atty. Lawrence G. Brown and FBI Special Agent in Charge Drew Parenti announced: "The FBI has concluded its preliminary investigation concerning comments made by former California Assemblyman Mike Duvall, and no prosecutive action by the United States Attorney’s Office is warranted."
Duvall said after he quit that his comments were not an admission of an affair, but rather amounted to "inappropriate storytelling.''
Sempra said in a statement today that the lobbyist also denied Duvall’s claims: “Consistent with the outcome of the government investigations and Sempra Energy’s own investigation, we have closed our review of this personnel matter and reinstated our employee to active status.”
Malcolm Segal, Barsuglia’s personal attorney, said Barsuglia "has been defamed in monumental proportions."
"Her reputation, her job and her exemplary career have all been placed in jeopardy by Duvall's disgusting remarks," he said.
Segal said he would not rule out legal action against Duvall.
-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento
Photo: Hector Amezcua / Sacramento Bee
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EDITOR'S PICKS:
and now that the FBI has cleared the man what will the rabble have Atty General Brown do that the FBI could not?
Posted by: stewart | November 02, 2009 at 02:47 PM
another white guy cleared
Posted by: PAUL OLIVAS | November 02, 2009 at 02:59 PM
What's with the headline?
The FBI hardly "cleared" him.
Posted by: Tom | November 02, 2009 at 03:21 PM
This is just another example of the headline not agreeing with the contents of the story. The FBI does not "clear" anyone. It was announced that Duvall would not be prosecuted federally. That is a far cry from being "cleared." It's much like saying a jury found someone "innocent" instead of "not guilty." There's a world of difference.
Posted by: Charlie P. | November 02, 2009 at 03:42 PM
In all their word games, nowhere has anybody, including the two involved, denied that the two had a sexual relationship while he was a legislator and she was a lobbyist. Nice goin', folks.
Posted by: markiejoe | November 02, 2009 at 04:35 PM
She sues him. If she doesn't, or there is an out of court settlement, then it won't be so clear.
Posted by: I'll believ it when | November 02, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Duvall is PIG..he knows it, she ("Mrs" Barsuglia)knows it, and everybody that walks those halls know it. No one wants to prosecute and run the risk of rocking the boat and exposing ALL of those pigs... What a joke our governemnt has become.
Posted by: RG | November 03, 2009 at 08:36 AM
Sue him...for what, it happened, they had a consensual fling. You can tell anyone you want; however, not the smartest thing to do on his part...The FBI was looking into a possible Quid Pro Quo and found none...Let's here from some other sue happy morons, let's here your reasonings for frivolous litigation...
Posted by: TheBigPicture | November 03, 2009 at 08:52 AM