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YORBA LINDA -- A local Republican lawmaker who resigned after being caught on tape bragging about his sexual escapades with two women is now denying the affairs. Another lawmaker who listened and asked questions about the affair has been removed from the panel investigating the conversation.
On his Web site Thursday morning, Assemblyman Mike Duvall said his resignation was in no way an admission of adultery.
He wrote: "I want to make it clear that my decision to resign is in no way an admission that I had an affair or affairs. My offense was engaging in inappropriate story-telling and I regret my language and choice of words. The resulting media coverage was proving to be an unneeded distraction to my colleagues and I resigned in the hope that my decision would allow them to return to the business of the state."
The statement comes after a videotape recently surfaced showing Duvall bragging about his extramarital affairs.
Meantime, assembly Speaker Karen Bass removed Republican Assemblyman Jeff Miller of Corona from the ethics committee on Thursday.
The video was recorded by the Assembly in-house video system prior to the start of a committee meeting on July 8.
On the tape, Duvall -- a married father of two -- can be heard discussing, in detail, a recent sexual escapade with a woman he says is 18 years younger.
"I'm getting into spanking her," Duvall is heard to say on the videotape.
The other man asks if she likes it, too. Duvall responds: "She goes, 'I know you like spanking me.' I said, 'Yeah, that's 'cause you're such a bad girl."'
He also describes the woman's "eye patch underwear" and talks about joking with the woman that she was getting old after turning 36, saying, "I am going to have to trade you in."
The lawmaker then brags about an affair he is having with another woman.
"Oh, she is hot! I talked to her yesterday. She goes, 'So are we finished?' I go, 'No, we're not finished.' I go, 'You know about the other one, but she doesn't know about you!"' Duvall can be heard saying in an apparent reference to his affair.
It's reported that both of the women were married Sacramento lobbyists – one of whom represents Sempra Energy, a Southern California-based utility that would've had business before the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, where Duvall was vice chairman.
Before resigning, Duvall, (R- Yorba Linda), issued an apology on his Web site.
"I am deeply saddened that my inappropriate comments have become a major distraction for my colleagues in the Assembly, who are working hard on the very serious problems facing our state," Duvall said.
"I have come to the conclusion that it would not be fair to my family, my constituents or to my friends on both sides of the aisle to remain in office.
"Therefore, I have decided to resign my office, effective immediately, so that the Assembly can get back to work," he said.
The 54-year old Duvall was elected to the Assembly in November 2006, representing a district that includes Brea, Fullerton, Placentia and parts of Anaheim, Orange, Yorba Linda and La Habra.
He was reelected in 2008.
Duvall received a 100 percent rating from Capitol Resource Institute, a conservative advocacy group, for his votes on legislation considered pro-family during the 2007-08 legislative session. The institute did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
He previously served on the Yorba Linda City Council.
It's reported that termed-out Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby wants to run to replace Duvall.
Orange County Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh said four people have already expressed interest in the seat.
"There will be a lot of people running for that seat," Baugh said. "I know there's a lot of interest."
Under state law, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has 14 days to schedule a special election to fill the seat.
On his Web site Thursday morning, Assemblyman Mike Duvall said his resignation was in no way an admission of adultery.
He wrote: "I want to make it clear that my decision to resign is in no way an admission that I had an affair or affairs. My offense was engaging in inappropriate story-telling and I regret my language and choice of words. The resulting media coverage was proving to be an unneeded distraction to my colleagues and I resigned in the hope that my decision would allow them to return to the business of the state."
The statement comes after a videotape recently surfaced showing Duvall bragging about his extramarital affairs.
Meantime, assembly Speaker Karen Bass removed Republican Assemblyman Jeff Miller of Corona from the ethics committee on Thursday.
The video was recorded by the Assembly in-house video system prior to the start of a committee meeting on July 8.
On the tape, Duvall -- a married father of two -- can be heard discussing, in detail, a recent sexual escapade with a woman he says is 18 years younger.
"I'm getting into spanking her," Duvall is heard to say on the videotape.
The other man asks if she likes it, too. Duvall responds: "She goes, 'I know you like spanking me.' I said, 'Yeah, that's 'cause you're such a bad girl."'
He also describes the woman's "eye patch underwear" and talks about joking with the woman that she was getting old after turning 36, saying, "I am going to have to trade you in."
The lawmaker then brags about an affair he is having with another woman.
"Oh, she is hot! I talked to her yesterday. She goes, 'So are we finished?' I go, 'No, we're not finished.' I go, 'You know about the other one, but she doesn't know about you!"' Duvall can be heard saying in an apparent reference to his affair.
It's reported that both of the women were married Sacramento lobbyists – one of whom represents Sempra Energy, a Southern California-based utility that would've had business before the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, where Duvall was vice chairman.
Before resigning, Duvall, (R- Yorba Linda), issued an apology on his Web site.
"I am deeply saddened that my inappropriate comments have become a major distraction for my colleagues in the Assembly, who are working hard on the very serious problems facing our state," Duvall said.
"I have come to the conclusion that it would not be fair to my family, my constituents or to my friends on both sides of the aisle to remain in office.
"Therefore, I have decided to resign my office, effective immediately, so that the Assembly can get back to work," he said.
The 54-year old Duvall was elected to the Assembly in November 2006, representing a district that includes Brea, Fullerton, Placentia and parts of Anaheim, Orange, Yorba Linda and La Habra.
He was reelected in 2008.
Duvall received a 100 percent rating from Capitol Resource Institute, a conservative advocacy group, for his votes on legislation considered pro-family during the 2007-08 legislative session. The institute did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
He previously served on the Yorba Linda City Council.
It's reported that termed-out Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby wants to run to replace Duvall.
Orange County Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh said four people have already expressed interest in the seat.
"There will be a lot of people running for that seat," Baugh said. "I know there's a lot of interest."
Under state law, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has 14 days to schedule a special election to fill the seat.
