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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Duvall resigns amid outrage

Assemblyman Mike Duvall, R-Yorba Linda, Calif., sits in the Assembly on Wednesday. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A Republican state lawmaker from Southern California resigned Wednesday amid growing outrage over a videotape that caught him bragging in graphic detail about having sex with a female lobbyist and another woman.

Assemblyman Mike Duvall, whose votes on family-oriented legislation received high marks from conservative groups, said in a statement the furor over his comments had begun to divert attention from the work his fellow lawmakers were trying to finish during the final week of their session.

Duvall is married and has two adult children.

In a recording of a legislative hearing, Duvall can be heard talking about a recent sexual escapade with a woman he says is 18 years younger.

“I’m getting into spanking her,” Duvall is heard to say on the videotape.

The conversation was first reported by KCAL-TV in Los Angeles and the newspaper OC Weekly.

Duvall, an Orange County lawmaker, said it would not be fair to his family, constituents or friends to remain in office.

“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,” he said.

Duvall received a 100 percent rating from Capitol Resource Institute, a conservative advocacy group, for his votes on legislation considered pro-family during the 2007-2008 legislative session.

The group’s executive director, Karen England, said the scorecard is based strictly on lawmakers’ voting records, not their personal conduct, and that Duvall consistently voted in favor of legislation the group considered pro-family. “It’s unfortunate that he wasn’t living it out,” she said.