Mayor Refuses To Step Down Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – The mayor of West Hollywood refuses to step down amid allegations of sexual misconduct by three members of a choir he was involved with. A protest is planned for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, and the City Council will decide at an upcoming meeting whether to end John Duran's term early, KTLA reported.

If the council does decide to end Duran's mayoral term, he'll become a council member again. A petition signed by 20 percent of registered voters in the city is the only way he would be permanently pushed out of the council, the news station reported.

Duran stepped down from his board chairman position at the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles earlier this month after he was accused of sexual misconduct. Although he denied any wrongdoing, he said he would step down from his chairman's post at the end of the choral season.

Three current or former chorus members accused Duran of inappropriate touching and comments in interviews with the Los Angeles Times. The allegations were reported to the chorus membership committee, but leadership never followed up, the newspaper reported.

Singers Brian Phillip Nichoalds and Jason Tong allege Duran put his hands inside their pants or underwear without consent, according to Los Angeles Magazine. Others allegations against Duran include inappropriate comments and touching.

Read More: West Hollywood Mayor Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

Tong, who reported the incident to choir leadership, alleges in the Times that management "supported somebody who wielded power, rather than somebody who is vulnerable and needs community."

The choir's executive director, Jonathan Weedman, told the newspaper that they were previously aware of only one allegation against Duran. However, Weedman called for the chorus to implement mandatory harassment training, acknowledging that change may be needed in the group's culture.

"This organization is rife with different levels of what people consider acceptable workplace conduct," he said. "It is time for this and perhaps a bit overdue."

As a member of West Hollywood City Council in 2016, Duran and the city settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him by an aide. The aide received a $500,000 settlement. Even after the payment, neither Duran nor the city admitted any wrongdoing took place, Los Angeles Magazine reported.

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