Watsonville Councilman Accused Of Sexual Assault Steps Down

WATSONVILLE, CA -- Oscar Rios, a decades-long Watsonville leader, stepped down from the City Council this week after being accused of sexual assault by two women. The councilman said his resignation will take effect immediately.

The resignation comes after Rios was accused by alleged victims Shiree Teng and Liz Bean who said the councilman "inappropriately touched and groped them," according to the Register-Pajaronian.

In a statement obtained by Good Times Santa Cruz, Rios said he engaged in "inappropriate behavior" years ago.

“I am deeply sorry to hear that my conduct has caused pain and anger to demonstrably good people. It saddens me to know they bear scars from those encounters," Rios said.

Teng and Bean said Rios abused them in the 1980s "when he was a leader of the Watsonville cannery strikes," according to the newspaper.

The accusers were graphic in their descriptions of the abuse with Teng said Rios went as far as putting himself between her legs and sticking his tongue down her mouth, Register-Pajaronian reported.

The victims spoke amid the growing #MeToo movement, a campaign that encourages victims of sexual abuse to speak out against their attackers.

Rios has served on the City Council since 1989. His seat will be up for grabs during the general election, Register-Pajaronian reported.

--Photo via the city of Watsonville