SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) – Mayor Bob Filner's response to the recall effort launched against him is failing to impress his longtime critics, including defense attorney Gloria Allred.
In his letter, Filner touts his vision for San Diego that includes an interest in middle-class jobs, neighborhood infrastructure, and the Balboa Park Centennial.
However, the embattled mayor does not address the 14 women who have accused the 70-year-old of either unwanted advances or sexual harassment.
"This is the elephant in the room, it cannot be ignored," said Gloria Allred via Skype, who has filed complaints against the city on behalf of two alleged victims of sexual harassment by Filner.
Filner is taking personal leave this week and is expected to return to work next week, according to his attorneys.
"Perhaps he's hoping that by not talking about the sexual harassment allegations, they will go away," said Allred, "I can assure you, they will not."
Filner's Chief of Staff Lee Burdick tackled the allegations at a downtown San Diego Lions Club luncheon by pointing to the mayor's newest policy.
"The allegations are very serious and they are worthy of thorough investigation," said Lee Burdick, Filner's Chief of Staff.
A new mayoral policy that forbids Filner from being alone with women while at work hasn't been enough for Allred to take back her calls for Filner to resign, all while taking on critics of her own.
Last week, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh suggested that people are going too easy on the Democratic mayor.
"The response by all the usual suspects to this mayor, his name is Filner, is nothing," said Limbaugh last Wednesday. "Gloria Allred's not doing anything."
On Tuesday, Allred posted an open letter to Limbaugh demanding an apology while outlining her involvement in the pending litigation against Mayor Filner and the city.
Addressing Limbaugh, Allred said, "Rush, it is overdue for you to apologize to me and to many feminists like San Diego NOW who also called for the Mayor to resign well before your radio show."
Meanwhile, Allred is planning the next course of action against Filner.
"You will be seeing me back in San Diego very soon," said Allred. "Probably this week."