Embattled County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher — the subject of a suit filed this week by a former MTS employee alleging a pair of sexual assaults by the prominent San Diego politician, who resigned as the chair of the MTS on Tuesday — faces additional accusations of improper behavior, this time lodged by a former UC San Diego student who interned for him back in 2015.
Late on Wednesday night, Fletcher said he would resign from the board of supervisors, confirming on Thursday that he planned on retaining his seat through 5 p.m. on May 15, which would coincide with the end of his medical leave. He is currently being treated out of state for trauma and alcoholism.
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The former intern, who is named Amanda (her name is not being disclosed in order to preserve her anonymity), was 19 years old when she applied for an internship with the Three Wise Men Foundation, which focuses on veterans issues and was founded by Fletcher, who is a currently a professor of practice in political science at UC San Diego and served in the past as a U.S. Marine. According to a published report, Three Wise Men merged with the Headstrong Project in 2018.
In her capacity as an intern, Amanda traveled to Minnesota with Fletcher in 2015, she confirmed to NBC 7 on Thursday, also verifying her allegation that on the trip, while a photo was being taken, Fletcher told her she was "hot" and ran his hand over her buttocks. In addition, she corroborated to NBC 7 her allegation that Fletcher sent her explicit texts during the trip and asked for a massage.
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Amanda later reported the incident to her supervisor at Three Wise Men, Kaylee Wilson, Amanda confirmed Thursday, and, further on, to the Sexual Assault Resource Center at UC San Diego.
A spokesman for Fletcher released a statement to NBC 7 on Thursday that he attributed to the supervisor in which Fletcher said, "These accusations are false and clearly not true as verified by others at the event and emails from the time. This is just piling onto an existing media frenzy."
An email thread forwarded to NBC 7 on Thursday appears to verify that Amanda made the allegations during the time frame she described. In the thread, Wilson informs Fletcher about Amanda's allegations, describing them as "bizarre accusations" about Fletcher's behavior during the trip, saying that she had "slept in the same room with this girl and was attached to her hip the whole time, so I know what she's saying has absolutely zero validity."
Fletcher replies, "Oh gosh. That is so frustrating and completely unfounded," adding, "I had to counsel her during the trip as well about being too close and remind her I was her boss and also a Professor at UCSD. I specifically told her there were plenty of guys at the event available, appropriate, and her age."
Summing up, Fletcher told Wilson, in part, "Obviously, lets not have her intern at 3WM anymore."
According to the suit filed this week, Grecia Figueroa, who worked for the MTS until February of this year, alleges Fletcher groped her on two occasions and pursued a sexual relationship with her for months, leading to her abrupt firing on Feb. 6, the day Fletcher announced his state Senate candidacy, an endeavor he terminated on Sunday night, just days before the suit was filed.
NBC 7 has reached out to UC San Diego regarding Fletcher’s employment status at the university but has yet to hear back.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria released a statement on Friday regarding Fletcher's resignation:
“The accusations made this past week against Supervisor Fletcher and the Metropolitan Transit System are serious and warrant full investigations. They also have a significant human impact – to individuals, to families, to residents, and to organizations that are home to dedicated public servants.
Given what we know now, the Supervisor’s resignation was appropriate.
With that, I have full confidence that in Chairwoman Nora Vargas to lead our County during this time. Simultaneously, I believe that Acting Chair Stephen Whitburn will guide the MTS board to properly address this situation.
While this week has been full of disappointments, we cannot lose sight of our responsibility to govern and deliver for the people of San Diego. That is what I will continue to do as Mayor in partnership with Chair Vargas and Acting Chair Whitburn.”
MTS Acting Chair Stephen Whitburn also released a statement Friday:
"I am calling a special closed-session meeting of the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors to discuss the allegations made this week by a former MTS employee and to provide direction as the Board may deem appropriate. The meeting will be next week, and the precise day and time will be set on Monday.
The public must be assured that MTS adheres to a zero-tolerance policy against sexual harassment and retaliation. Under these circumstances, I believe an independent investigation by an outside counsel commissioned by the Board of Directors would be appropriate in addition to the investigation by the law firm contracted by MTS to provide legal representation in this matter.
Simultaneously, MTS will move forward with our vital work to provide safe, reliable, efficient, and accessible transportation to our San Diego Region. We owe nothing less to the thousands of residents, visitors, and employees who count on us every day."
