San Diego mayor discussing resignation in settlement talks

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Filner settlement watch

Negotiations continue with embattled San Diego Mayor

The possible resignation of San Diego mayor Bob Filner is among the issues being discussed at settlement talks over a sexual harassment lawsuit against the 70-year-old Democrat.

Jessica Rosenthal of Fox News Radio reported that talks would take place for a third consecutive day on Wednesday and that the mayor's resignation was among the issues being discussed. A deal could be reached by the end of the week.

If a deal is reached that calls for Filner's resignation, the City Council would call a meeting to vote on the deal 24 hours later.

More than a dozen women have made allegations against Filner for making sexually explicit comments or, in the case of some women, cornering, groping, and forcibly kissing them. The talks that have taken place this week involve a lawsuit filed by his former communications director Irene McCormack Jackson.

McCormack, as she is known professionally, was the first to go public with allegations against Filner, who has resisted an avalanche of calls to step down, including from the entire City Council.

Filner is also facing a recall petition, which is required to get the signatures of 101,597 registered San Diego voters by September 26. If that deadline is met, the petition will be presented to the City Council, which must schedule an election within the following 60 to 90 days.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that the Democratic National Committee plans to vote on a resolution Friday that urges Filner to resign immediately and says that the Democratic Party condemns anyone who creates a hostile work place or sexually harasses women or men. The vote will take place at the DNC's summer meeting in Phoenix.

The Associated Press contributed to this report