A California state assemblyman was accused on Monday by a female lobbyist of cornering her and forcing her to watch as he masturbated in front of her.
Matt Dababneh, a Democratic state legislator from Los Angeles, is alleged to have trapped the lobbyist, Pamela Lopez, in a bathroom at a Las Vegas hotel in January 2016.
According to Lopez, Dababneh, 36, dropped his pants and asked her to touch his genitalia.
Lopez’s allegations, which the assemblyman denies, were reported by The Sacramento Bee.
‘It was a terrifying experience,’ Lopez wrote in a letter addressed to a senior California state lawmaker.
Matt Dababneh, a California state assemblyman, was accused on Monday by a female lobbyist of cornering her and forcing her to watch as he masturbated in front of her
‘During the time he blocked me in that room, my instincts were focused on escaping without any physical contact and in a way that would not cause a scene. Before the ordeal ended, he told me not to tell anyone.’
Dababneh was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2013. He represents the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles.
He is considered a powerful legislator, particularly because of his role as head of the influential Banking and Finance Committee, according to The Bee.
‘Assemblymember Dababneh condemns this type of inappropriate behavior and was not involved in this incident,’ his chief of staff, Kathleen O’Malley, said in a statement.
‘I affirmatively deny that this event ever happened – at any time,’ Dababneh said in a statement.
‘I am saddened by this lobbyist’s effort to create this falsehood and make these inflammatory statements, apparently for her own self-promotion and without regard to the reputation of others. I look forward to clearing my name.’
Lopez appeared at an Assembly hearing last week during which she went public with her allegations, though she did not name Dababneh at the time.
Dababneh, a Democratic state legislator from Los Angeles, is alleged to have trapped the lobbyist, Pamela Lopez, in a bathroom at a Las Vegas hotel in January 2016. Lopez is seen addressing the California State Assembly on Tuesday, November 28, in Sacramento
On Monday, she held a news conference at the Sacramento office of her lobbying firm, K Street Consulting.
Lopez said that the alleged incident in the bathroom took place during a gathering of mutual friends.
‘I had no reason to think I was unsafe,’ she said.
‘I went to the restroom and felt a large body behind me, use the weight of his body to push me into the bathroom.’
When she turned around, she said she was face to face with Dababneh, who until that point was just an acquaintance.
‘I started backing up, and he moved toward me while he was masturbating.’
When he allegedly asked her to touch his penis, she refused.
‘I said several times, “No, I will not touch you. No, I will not touch you”.’
Lopez said Dababneh ejaculated into the toilet as she was pressed up against the wall.
When it was over, she said, he appeared to realize that he had made a mistake.
‘I can’t believe I did that,’ Lopez remembered him saying.
She said Dababneh then encouraged her not to tell anyone about their encounter.
Lopez said there was no indication Dababneh was under the influence of alcohol.
She said her decision to go public was made after she received assurances from Ken Cooley, the chairman of the Assembly Rules Committee, that any women who came forward with allegations would be protected.
‘This is a moment. This is a moment of collective action,’ Lopez said.
‘I want to stand with them and show that there is a path to stepping forward and seeking justice.’
According to Lopez, Dababneh, 36, dropped his pants and asked her to touch his genitalia. The assemblyman denies the allegations
Lopez said Dababneh ‘has tried to silence me by threatening to sue me for defamation if I persisted in reporting this assault.’
Cooley said that the Assembly will hire an independent investigator to look into the allegations.
‘Since the allegation is criminal in nature, Ms. Lopez is encouraged to contact law enforcement as well,’ he said.
Another woman joined Lopez at the news conference to allege that Dababneh made sexually suggestive comments to her.
Jessica Yas Barker, who once worked with Dababneh in the district office of US Representative Brad Sherman in the San Fernando Valley, accused the assemblyman of repeatedly commenting on her appearance.
Another woman, Jessica Yas Barker, joined Lopez at the news conference to allege that Dababneh made sexually suggestive comments to her
Barker, who once worked with Dababneh in the district office of US Representative Brad Sherman in the San Fernando Valley, accused the assemblyman of repeatedly commenting on her appearance
Dababneh allegedly told her not to dress like ‘such a lesbian.’
He also is alleged to have told Barker about his sexual experiences.
Barker alleges that he on one instance brought her into the office and showed her condoms in his desk drawer.
‘Who knows what my career would look like today had I been able to stay in a congressional office with a boss who was respectful and encouraging?’ she said.
Lopez and Barker said that they know of other women who have allegedly experienced harassment at the hands of Dababneh – but they are still hesitant to come forward.
‘I can’t have it on my conscience that this may happen again,’ Lopez said.
‘I’ve heard from enough women that I’m fearful and worried that this will happen again.’