Taxpayers in San Diego will be forced to foot part of the defense fund for Mayor Bob Filner, according to a deal worked out by the city council that included Filner's long-sought resignation. In his resignation speech, a defiant Filner said "I've never sexually harassed anyone." Politico: "Those of you in the media and politics who fed this hysteria need to look at what you helped create," Filner charged. "Because you have unleashed a monster. I think [we'll] be paying for this affront to democracy for a long time." In the speech, he also asserted that "I've never sexually harassed anyone." The resignation is effective Aug. 30.   Filner, lawyers and city representatives spent three days in mediation talks this week and reached a deal on Wednesday. The San Diego City Council assessed the proposal in a meeting Friday afternoon and determined that the city would establish a joint legal defense fund to handle certain complaint claims as part of the settlement deal, which ...(Read Full Post)