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Nov 2, 2009 3:49 pm US/Pacific
Lobbyist Implicated In Duvall Scandal Reinstated
Barsuglia Vehemently Denies Involvement With Duvall
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) ―
A lobbyist who former state lawmaker Mike Duvall bragged about having sex with on video tape has been reinstated by her employer.
Heidi De Jong Barsuglia, a lobbyist with Sempra Energy, had been implicated in a scandal surrounding former California Assemblyman Mike Duvall in September, and was put on temporary leave, according to Sempra.
In a statement released Monday, Barsuglia expressed relief that none of the government investigations into the allegations are still being pursued.
"This experience has been a professional and personal nightmare," she said. "I did nothing whatsoever illegal or unethical with former Assemblyman Duvall or anyone else. What is shocking to me and my family is that anyone would have taken seriously the statements of someone boasting about his alleged exploits or even believed for a moment that they were true."
Barsuglia's attorney, Malcolm Segal, called Duvall's statements "a plain old-fashioned lie" and said that she is considering legal recourse.
Prior to the start of a committee meeting in Sacramento held earlier this summer, the 54-year-old lawmaker is heard talking to Republican Assemblyman Jeff Miller of Corona about the sensitive subject into a hot microphone.
He reportedly brags about having sex with a woman, who is "19 years younger..."
At the end of the conversation, Duvall mentions a second woman.
The videotape is courtesy of the in-house television station used by the State Legislature.
According to sources, the women Duvall is referring to are both married and both lobbyists in Sacramento.
Duvall, who is married with two adult children, received a 100 percent rating from a conservative advocacy group for his votes on legislation considered pro-family.
He represented parts of Yorba Linda, Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia and Orange in Orange County.
Before resigning, Duvall apologized for the comments on his campaign Web site and said he made a mistake.
"I deeply regret the comments I made in what I believed to be a private conversation," he said. "This is a private matter and I ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved."
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Woman In Swimsuit Chased, Caught In Sac
Watch Duvall's taped converstation about the alleged affairs (mature content)
Barsuglia Releases Statement
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