California councilman arrested for sexually assaulting seven women co-workers

Washington, July 4 (ANI): A California councilman has been arrested for allegedly cornering female co-workers in his office and sexually assaulting them.

According to New York Daily News, Carlos Bustamante is accused of sexually harassing seven female subordinates on several occasions, and exposing himself and making them watch him masturbate, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said.

"[Bustamante] rubbed his face against theirs, grabbed their breasts, touched their bare thighs," Rackauckus described, adding: "When they attempted to escape from the office, he cornered them to prevent them from leaving."

The district attorney claims the married Santa Ana councilman targeted 'emotionally vulnerable' employees and often lured them into his office under the pretext of work-related matters.

The victims were allegedly hesitant to file a case against Bustamante because of his close ties to several influential members of the California Republican Party, including former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Bustamante, who has been on the Santa Ana City Council since 2004, was arrested on the way to a council meeting on Monday.

The father of three faces felony counts of false imprisonment, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, stalking and attempted sexual battery by restraint.

The arrest comes nine months after Bustamante resigned as director of administrative services at Santa Ana's Public Works.

Bustamante had resigned after anonymous letters were sent to a local newspaper making allegations of sexual harassment against him. (ANI)

null