Allred and Filner lawyers agree to 30-day delay

Attorneys for the city who are representing former mayor Bob Filner have made an agreement with Gloria Allred to delay the discovery phase of the lawsuit against Filner to give time for settlement talks, says a recently filed case-management statement filed by Allred.

The two sides have signed off on a 30-day hold to try and agree to terms in the high-profile lawsuit filed by Irene McCormack Jackson, Filner's former communications director, in July 2013. McCormack Jackson was the first of many women to accuse Filner of inappropriate sexual advances, which included requests to see her naked, repeatedly asking her out on dates, and going in for unwarranted kisses.

Since filing the lawsuit, McCormack Jackson's lawyers have put the damages near $1.5 million, as first reported by the Reader on November 22, 2013.

And if the case-management statement is any indication, a settlement will likely set the city back a pretty penny. As part of an earlier agreement between Filner and the city attorney's office, the city will pay for legal costs, up to $90,000, as well as cover any settlement except for punitive damages.

The recent filing says that McCormack Jackson visited the emergency room twice as a result of the harassment. In addition, she allegedly visited her therapist 18 times and her doctor 3 times, resulting in more than $4000 in expenses. Then there is the issue of back-pay for her job at the city...

"While Filner was Mayor, he subjected the plaintiff, his subordinate, to various forms of verbal and physical sexual harassment. She has suffered severe emotional distress, resulting in disability. She is currently unable to work. Two ER visits. Medication for emotional and physical issues (confidential). Eighteen therapy sessions to date plus three doctor appointments. She is on unpaid leave from September 27, 2013. Salary is $125,000 per year, so loss of earnings to date is $55,000 and is ongoing."

If no settlement is reached in the next 30 days, the discovery phase will commence on March 14. Depositions will take place from May to September of this year.