Craig Cheslog, Region 2 Director of the California Democratic Party, resigned this week after allegations of rape and inappropriate behavior were made public.
Cheslog, who was also elected to the Acalanes Union High School District Board of Trustees, resigned from that position as well. On the school site, the seat is now listed as “open”. He has since been fired from his position at Common Sense Media after their investigation.
California Democratic Chair Eric Bauman confirmed the resignation but offered no other comments.
The victim, Maddy Dean, and her mother, Solano County Office of Education board president Dana Dean, have since come out publicly against Cheslog on social media in an effort to educate the public.
Maddy Dean stated on December 14:
“I was well aware coming forward about my assault would mean things would likely become quite public. When a highly personal trauma becomes talked about in this kind of way, it quickly becomes about much more than you. But as I say in this article, I came forward to protect others, so this has always been about more than just me. Young people deserve an inclusive and safe environment in which to engage in politics. We deserve transparency during these investigations in our workplaces. We deserve to be heard, not silenced, by those who decide our futures. That is what I am fighting for, and that is much larger than me.” Her comments can be read in full in the LA Times.
Dana Dean made several posts about the incident calling her daughter “brave” and how she was focused on the greater goal of making a place for young people who want to be a part of politics to feel and be safe. She heals my broken heart” stated Dean.
Dec 12:
Now that the news regarding Mr. Cheslog has been made public and it is widely known that my daughter is one of the victims, we have already heard from many people that a false story has been circulated about the events that led up to the filing of charges by the state-wide officers of the CDP. I am, therefore, compelled to make this very public statement about what I had originally hoped would be respected as a private matter.
We have been advised that Mr. Cheslog and his single apologist, who has her own culpability for the events of the night in question, have begun to treat this matter as if it were a campaign, calling political allies seeking “support”, peddling a wildly false narrative, and trashing a bright, capable, and caring young woman. This pathetic attempt to excuse their behavior is the worst kind of victim shaming and has no place here today.
THIS IS NOT A CAMPAIGN OR POLITICS AS USUAL. This is the life of fine and brave young woman. And while I would like nothing better than to circle the wagons, back away, protect her, and allow her to heal and move on, we know that in this moment (her courage has convinced me), we must stand in the storm, stay present, and continue to tell the truth.
Under the rules of the CDP, Mr. Cheslog has until 5:00 p.m. December 14th to resign or face, at least, the current charges brought against him by the CDP officers in a painful public process. I do not know what is happening with his other public office, but, as most of you know, he has already been fired by his employer after they conducted an independent review of the charges.
I am today calling on Mr. Cheslog to resign now and, more importantly, to immediately end the use of my daughter as just so much political fodder.
With all of that said, we are not going to try this case in social media. We know the truth and intend to pursue all remedies available, in particular against those who have made false statements about my daughter. I would like to personally thank the many folks who have already reached out with relevant information. If others have information you would like to share with me or with Maddy’s legal counsel, please don’t hesitate to PM me.
To those who read this, please know it is not my intention to respond to any comments here as if this were just another social media post. It is not. I will, however, thank you for your attention and on Maddy’s and my behalf for the enormous outpouring of support she has received. That support is keeping her strong. Thank you.
Dean Followed up with a post on December 14:
AN UPDATE: Under the CDP rules, Mr. Cheslog had the choice to either resign by today or face the charges in an open hearing. That decision was his alone to make. He chose to submit his resignation today, effective immediately. There is no cause for celebration given the horror revealed in the last few weeks, but I pause to mark this milestone in the road to some peace for my courageous daughter and for all affected by this individual’s conduct. Thank you once again for the wonderful support we have received
News of the accusations became public when a letter was provided to ECT on December 11, where California Democrats have received multiple reports that Mr. Cheslog acted in an inappropriate and sexually aggressive manner towards one of their members in the public areas of the Westin San Francisco Airport hotel November 18, 2017, at the Winter 2017 CDP Executive Board Meeting.
Based on witnessing the activity, one of their members subsequently reported to the Chair that Mr. Cheslog had raped her at a CDP Executive Board meeting the previous year (November 2016).
Here is a copy of the full letter:
November 29, 2017
Dear Ms. Bach,
We, the undersigned statewide officers of the California Democratic Party, do hereby formally file this Statement of Charges to initiate removal of Craig Cheslog from the officer position of Region 2 Director.
We have received multiple reports that Mr. Cheslog acted in an inappropriate and sexually aggressive manner towards one of our members in the public areas of the Westin San Francisco Airport hotel. These inappropriate actions occurred late Saturday night, November 18, 2017, at the Winter 2017 CDP Executive Board Meeting. The level to which this activity advanced made a number of those in attendance uncomfortable and created an unwelcoming and unsuitable environment.
Further, witnessing this activity triggered a reaction in one of our members who subsequently reported to our Chair that Mr. Cheslog had raped her at a CDP Executive Board meeting the previous year (November 2016). While no legal adjudication has been reached in this matter, these appalling allegations paired with the inappropriate behavior observed and reported this past weekend lead us to conclude that Mr. Cheslog should no longer serve as an officer of the California Democratic Party.
Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker, First Vice-Chair
Daraka Larimore-Hall, Vice-Chair
Dan Weitzman, Controller
Eric C. Bauman, Chair
CC: Adam Seiden, CDP Senior Advisor
Sandra Lowe, CDP Senior Strategist
Clark Lee, CDP Political Director
In response to the allegations, Cheslog was terminated for “highly inappropriate behavior” by his employer Common Sense Media.
In a statement from Corbie Kiernan, VP of Communications:
On Wednesday November 29, we received information about highly inappropriate behavior by Craig Cheslog, who was an employee of Common Sense at the time. The conduct represented a serious violation of both company policy and the way in which our employees are expected to conduct themselves in the community at large. We immediately suspended Mr. Cheslog and conducted an investigation. As a result of the investigation, Mr. Cheslog’s employment with Common Sense was terminated.
Thank you,
Corbie Kiernan
Prior to working with Common Sense Media he worked office of Tom Torlakson, California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, where he served as principal adviser since 2011. Prior to that, Cheslog was Torlakson’s district director when he was State Senator and State Assemblyman representing Contra Costa County, CA.
Attempts to reach Cheslog for comment were unsuccessful and he has not responded to any questions regarding the allegations.
Region 2 covers Assembly Districts 4, 11, 14, 16
1 comment
Throw the book at him.
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