SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - San Diego Mayor Bob Filner apologizes to San Diegans and the women he says he's offended. He says he'll enter a behavioral counseling clinic to undergo two weeks of intensive therapy, but he's still refusing to step down, as the sexual harassment scandal against him escalates and makes national news.
Accusers call the move insulting, and they want him out of office and the rest of the nation is now watching to see what will happen next.
That media spotlight is getting even brighter at Friday's press conference, Mayor Filner said he won't be stepping down instead he will be checking into a behavioral clinic - it's a move that made national news Friday evening, commanding air time on all three network news broadcasts.
This while Democratic leaders at the county, state and national levels have all called for Filner's resignation. The embattled 70-year-old mayor said Friday he is opting for rehab instead - two weeks of intensive behavioral therapy beginning August 5th.
Filner also offered apologies to his staff, the city and his victims - who weren't buying it.
Even CBS Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer weighed in on the city hall scandal:
"We've seen it before in other offices, people get elected and think that gives them the right to paw all the women in their office. Well, it doesn't of course, and normal people know that."
Schieffer added that he has confidence that the 'people' will decide Filner's fate as the city's leader:
"Because in the end, people get the representation they deserve."
Filner will begin his intensive therapy August 5th, saying he will be in the clinic full-time, but will still receive twice-daily briefings on city matters.
Additionally, Filner has been subpoenaed to testify at a deposition related to the lawsuit filed by one of his accusers on August 9th.