Lawmaker Resigns Over Taped Comments

Yorba Linda (myFOXla.com) - Assemblyman Mike Duvall, R-Yorba Linda, resigned his seat on Wednesday, one day after the release of a videotape on which he can be heard discussing sexual trysts, apparently with two lobbyists.

You can watch Jeff Michael's report in the video player.

Duvall who is married with two grown children, had issued an apology earlier Wednesday.

But shortly after midday, Duvall posted a statement on his campaign Web site admitting that he made inappropriate remarks and resigning his position.

"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 videotape was taken by the Assembly in-house video system prior to the start of a committee meeting.

Duvall can be heard whispering to the unidentified person sitting next to him, apparently unaware that his microphone was turned on. On the tape, Duvall can be heard bragging about sexual interludes with two women, including one he said was 19 years younger than him.

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, issued a statement earlier today saying she was "saddened and disappointed" in Duvall's comments. In response, she removed Duvall from the Assembly's Utilities and Commerce Committee and Rules Committee. She also asked that the Assembly Ethics Committee conduct an investigation.

"The Assembly has some very important policy work to complete in the next couple of days and we will not allow this situation to become a distraction," she said.

Duvall, 54, 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.

He previously served on the Yorba Linda City Council.