A pro-family values California lawmaker, who resigned after being caught on tape boasting about his sexual conquests, denied Thursday that he had extramarital affairs, saying that "my offense was engaging in inappropriate storytelling." Mike Duvall of Yorba Linda stepped down Wednesday after his comments were caught on an open microphone in a Capitol hearing room and reported by CBS 2 and KCAL 9 Tuesday.
But Duvall said Thursday that his "decision to resign is in no way an admission that I had an affair or affairs."
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.
Several media outlets reported one of the women works for Sempra Energy, a San Diego-based energy services company that operates San Diego Gas & Electric Co. and Southern California Gas Co. Sempra issued an e-mail statement saying it was investigating the claims.
"The employee has denied the speculative media reports. Our investigation will be conducted to ensure not only that our policies on employee conduct are strictly adhered to, but also that our employee is treated fairly," the company said.
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."
