Greg Timms, left, signs a petition to recall San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, alongside Tana Piontek, right, at a stand set up in the parking lot of a shopping center Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013, in San Diego.... (Associated Press) 
 
 Cecelia Taylor, left, explains a form to Tana Piontek, center, as Allie Thornbrue, right, waits to sign a petition to recall San Diego Mayor Bob Filner at a stand set up in the parking lot of a shopping... (Associated Press) 
 
 San Diego Mayor Bob Filner enters a black SUV parked near City Hall after loading boxes in the backseat in this photo tweeted by city employee Diana Palacios, Wednesday night, Aug. 21, 2013. A tentative... (Associated Press) 
 
 FILE - In this July 26, 2013 file photo, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner speaks during a news conference at city hall, in San Diego. Filner is expected to appear at City Hall on Monday, Aug. 19, 2013, when... (Associated Press) 
 
 The City Council voted 7-0 Friday on a deal that ends a political stalemate after more than a dozen women publicly identified themselves as targets of unwanted advances, including touching, forcible kisses and lurid comments. 
 
 The city's first Democratic mayor in 20 years has become a pariah in his own party since the allegations surfaced in July. All nine members of the City Council have insisted that he step down. 
 
 Todd Gloria, the Democratic City Council president, becomes acting mayor until a special election is held within 90 days after the resignation takes effect. 
 
 THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below. 
 
 The San Diego City Council met behind closed doors Friday to consider an agreement for Mayor Bob Filner to resign amid allegations of sexual harassment. 
 
 Dozens of people spoke for and against the mayor before the council convened behind closed doors to discuss confidential terms negotiated by Filner and City Attorney Jan Goldsmith. 
 
 "Without the mayor's resignation, our city will continue to be paralyzed by this scandal, progress will be arrested and our focus will continue to be monopolized by this dark chapter in our history," said Laura Fink, a political consultant who accused Filner of patting her buttocks in 2005 when she was deputy campaign manager to the then-congressman. 
 
 Rachel Laing, a spokeswoman for an effort to recall the mayor, said petition gatherers have collected 20,000 signatures in five days to qualify for the ballot but that she would accept a deal for the mayor to resign. 
 
 "Every day he's in office is a day that the city remains in paralysis and that his victims suffer," she told the council. 
 
 Still, many who came to the special meeting offered support to the politically isolated mayor, hailing the liberal Democrat's work on behalf of civil rights and struggling minority groups. 
 
 "When my children ask me, `Where were you when the public lynching of Mayor Filner took place?' I will tell them I was not an accessory," said Enrique Morones, president of immigrant advocacy group Border Angels. 
 
 Irma Castro, who praised the mayor for helping her low-income Latino neighborhood, carried a sign that read: "I was respected by Bob Filner." 
 
 Two people who were briefed on the settlement said the mayor would resign and the city would have to pay legal fees in the lawsuit by filed by his former communications director. One person said the city would pay for any potential damages. 
 
 The people spoke on condition of anonymity before terms of the agreement were made public. 
 
 City Attorney Goldsmith said earlier Friday that the city's only option to ending the turmoil was getting the 70-year-old mayor _ besieged by allegations of cornering, groping and forcibly kissing women _ out of office as quickly as possible. 
 
 ""We look at stability as the mayor resigning and a special election, that's what we're facing," Goldsmith said. 
 
 The biggest bargaining chip at the negotiating table for the city's first Democratic mayor in two decades was his refusal to resign. 
 
 A person with knowledge of the negotiations said the main sticking points during talks involved granting Filner indemnity and covering his legal fees in the sexual harassment lawsuit. The person was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke only on condition of anonymity. 
 
 That provision could prove tricky for the council, which was unanimous in wanting Filner to quit but also promised to not use taxpayer dollars to defend the mayor, who is facing accusations from at least 17 women. 
 
 "Without his resignation being part of it, it's a nonstarter," Republican Councilman Mark Kersey said Thursday. 
 
 The deal was negotiated between Filner, his lawyers, Goldsmith and two City Council members. Attorney Gloria Allred, representing Filner's former communication's director, Irene McCormack Jackson, in the lawsuit said she and her client were not a party to the proposed resolution and she did not know its details. 
 
 But she said the City Council should not support it if in exchange for his resignation the city is going to use taxpayer money to pay Filner's legal bills. 
 
 "The mayor's resignation should not be bought at the expense of his victims," she said. "It would be morally wrong and hypocritical for the city to align itself with the mayor by helping him pay his legal fees." 
 
 San Diego is not new to political scandals _ Mayor Dick Murphy resigned in 2005 amid a financial crisis and Mayor Roger Hedgecock stepped down in 1985 after a felony conviction for conspiracy in connection with illegal campaign contributions _ but even so Democratic consultant Chris Crotty said this has reached a new level. 
 
 The City Council is in a no-win situation if Filner is demanding coverage of his legal fees in exchange for resigning, Crotty said. 
 
 If voters were to decide, Crotty said: "I bet most would choose to hold their nose, say OK, and pay the money to get him out." 
 
 And it may be a moot point anyway, he said: Under California law the city must defend Filner even if the City Council ends up saying it won't. What's more, after all the dust has settled, the city also could still be facing the lawsuit. 
 
 Filner, a former 10-term congressman and college professor, has acknowledged disrespecting and intimidating women but has denied any sexual harassment. 
 
 All nine members of the City Council, along with a laundry list of fellow Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, have called on Filner to quit. 
 
 In Scottsdale, Ariz., the Democratic National Committee voted unanimously on Friday to demand Filner's resignation. The resolution passed on a voice vote of 230 committee members at the DNC's summer meeting. 
 
 McCormack was the first woman to go public with allegations against Filner. She claimed the mayor asked her to work without panties, demanded kisses, told her he wanted to see her naked and dragged her in a headlock while whispering in her ear. 
 
 ___ 
 
 Associated Press writers Elliot Spagat and Michael R. Blood contributed to this report. Blood reported from Los Angeles. 

 Story highlights Filner says he was forced out due to a "coup" based on "rumor and innuendo" 
 
 His remarks left people inside City Hall stunned, a source says 
 
 Council president says the deal " allows our city to begin to heal" 
 
 18 women have publicly accused Filner of sexual harassment; 1 has sued 
 
 San Diego Mayor Bob Filner is resigning in the face of a torrent of sexual harassment claims -- though he's not going out quietly. 
 
 City Attorney Jan Goldsmith announced around 3:45 p.m. (6:45 p.m. ET) that the City Council, during a closed-door session, had accepted the terms of an agreement with Filner that was reached after three days of mediation talks. 
 
 Filner submitted a "signed resignation" that "the city has accepted" in a 7-0 vote by council members, Goldsmith said. That resignation will take effect at 5 p.m. Friday, August 30. 
 
 After that vote, Filner spoke at the City Council meeting -- his first extensive public comments in weeks -- and began by offering a "deep apology ... to all the citizens." 
 
 "The city should not have been put through this," the 70-year-old mayor said. "And my own personal failures were responsible." 
 
 JUST WATCHED Accuser: Filner grabbed me in this photo Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Accuser: Filner grabbed me in this photo 02:27 
 
 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Businesswoman Dianne York told CNN that San Diego Mayor Bob Filner put his hands on her buttocks during this photo op after a meeting three months ago. York said there were witnesses. She said both her advisers and Filner's were in the room at the time. Click through the gallery of other women who have come forward in the case. Hide Caption 1 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Caryl Iseman , a San Diego real estate agent, attended an anti-Filner rally in August. She told CNN iReporter Chris Morrow that at a fundraiser 25 years ago, after photos had been taken, Filner "decided he could reach around and grab my breast." Iseman indicated it was the first time she had spoken publicly about the alleged incident. "The sheriff's department knows about it. I have not yet come forward yet with it ... but if it's needed to establish the timeline of how long this guy has been doing this, I will." Hide Caption 2 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Peggy Shannon, a 67-year-old great-grandmother who works at the Senior Citizens Service Desk in San Diego City Hall, faced "continuous inappropriate sexual advances by Filner while trying to do her job," according to the office of her attorney, Gloria Allred. Hide Caption 3 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Kathryn Vaughn, a San Diego attorney, told CNN affiliate KFMB that after her husband walked away at a public event 10 years ago, Filner "made an inappropriate movement on my body." Hide Caption 4 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Eldonna Fernandez says Filner left her a flirtatious e-mail after they met at a Healing and Hiring Fair held by the National Women's Veterans Association of America in 2012. "Hi, it's your newly favorite congressman, Bob Filner. You know, the one who fell in love with you at your last speech," Filner said in the voicemail. Filner, 70, has been dogged for weeks by sexual harassment allegations. He has refused to resign. Hide Caption 5 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Army veteran Gerri Tindley says Filner got too close to her at a National Women's Veterans Association of America event where she gave a speech about being raped, which she said happened during her eight years of service. Tindley said she felt uncomfortable as Filner moved closer and closer -- so close, she said, that she nearly fell off the couch trying to move away from him. Hide Caption 6 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Michelle Tyler, center, has accused Filner of unwanted sexual advances . During a news conference, Tyler said that during a visit to his office in June, Filner rubbed her arm and asked for dinner dates in exchange for his helping Katherine Ragazzino, right, a brain-injured Iraq war veteran. Hide Caption 7 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Renee Estill-Sombright told CNN affiliate KGTV that the mayor called her "beautiful" at a church breakfast in June, said he couldn't take his eyes off her, asked whether she was married and then said he'd like to take her out some time. Hide Caption 8 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Emily Gilbert accused Filner of sexual harassment on Friday, August 2. She told CNN she was hired to sing at a fundraising event in December and the mayor grabbed her, slid his hand down the small of her back and gave her "tush a pat." He then asked her: "Oh, Marilyn, can I get your card?" she recalled. Hide Caption 9 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Filner's former spokeswoman, Irene McCormack Jackson, has also accused him of sexual harassment and filed a suit against him. She said Filner subjected her and other women to "crude and disgusting" comments and inappropriate touching. She resigned as Filner's communications director in June after, she said, she decided the mayor would not change his behavior. Hide Caption 10 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Nonprofit founder Morgan Rose said she met Filner in 2009 when she was lobbying for her organization, which works with military and other families hurt by domestic violence. She says he looked her up and down, stared into her eyes and said, "Your eyes have bewitched me." He then moved to her side of the booth, sat beside her, pinned her to the wall, and put his arm around her, Rose alleged. Hide Caption 11 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Political consultant Laura Fink has accused the mayor of patting her "posterior" at a fundraising event in 2005. At the time, Fink was working as the deputy manager of Filner's congressional campaign. She said she thinks Filner should resign. Hide Caption 12 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Sharon Bernie-Cloward, president of the San Diego Port Tenants Association, claims that when Filner was running for mayor in 2012, he approached her at a political event. "He touched me, actually groped me on my backside inappropriately," she told KPBS. "I was left there startled and fearful. In fact, I actually had someone walk me to my car that night." Hide Caption 13 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Patti Roscoe, a prominent businesswoman in San Diego's tourism and hospitality industry, told KPBS that on numerous occasions, Filner "put me in what I guess now is the famous headlock." She told the station: "I felt fearful, even as well as I knew him, because it was an invasion into my space. And he would come in and try to kiss me on the lips, and I'd have to squirm to get away." Hide Caption 14 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Veronica "Ronne" Froman, a retired Navy rear admiral and San Diego's former chief operating officer, told KPBS that she and Filner, then a congressman, met a few years ago at his office after everyone had left. "He stopped me and he got very close to me. And he ran his finger up my cheek like this, and he whispered to me, 'Do you have a man in your life?' " she said. Hide Caption 15 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Joyce Gattas, a dean at San Diego State University, told KPBS that she had several "interactions" with Filner "where he's held me too tight, a kiss on the cheek which is inappropriate, hands on the knee that last too long." Hide Caption 16 of 17 Photos: Photos: San Diego mayor's accusers San Diego mayor's accusers – Lisa Curtin, the director of government and military education at San Diego City College, told KPBS that Filner grabbed her hand, fingered her wedding ring and asked if it was real. She also said he tried to kiss her; she moved her head and felt his tongue on her cheek. Hide Caption 17 of 17 
 
 JUST WATCHED San Diego mayor supporters speak out Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH San Diego mayor supporters speak out 04:34 
 
 A short time later, though, Filner went on the defensive. While admitting that his behavior toward women was inappropriate at times, he insisted that he "never sexually harassed anyone." 
 
 In the process of "trying to establish personal relationships," the mayor explained, "the combination of awkwardness and hubris, I think, led to behavior that many found offensive." He added, "Not one allegation ... has ever been independently verified or proven in court." 
 
 "But the hysteria that has been created ... is the hysteria of a lynch mob," Filner said, criticizing an environment in which "rumors become allegations, allegations become facts, facts become evidence of sexual harassment which have led to demands for my resignation and recall." 
 
 Blasting politicians and members of the media who "unleashed a monster," the mayor said, "The hysteria ended up playing into the hands of those who wanted a political coup -- the removal of a democratically elected mayor purely by rumor and innuendo." 
 
 "They found the weapons they needed in my own failures as a human being," Filner said of "well-organized interests" opposed to him. "But they found with those weapons and they used them, in a bloody and vicious way." 
 
 The outgoing mayor's remarks -- going from a contrite apology to a withering attack -- left many watching from inside City Hall stunned, according to a source who was there. The comment about his being the victim of a "coup" especially caught people off guard. 
 
 "We are shocked that he would go there," said the source inside City Hall. 
 
 This defiant stance notwithstanding, it doesn't change the fact that Filner's term as mayor ends -- according to a deal he agreed to -- next week. 
 
 And when it does, City Council President Todd Gloria will step in on an interim basis. Gloria said Friday afternoon, after the council session, that he'll soon begin work on setting up a special election. 
 
 Speaking shortly after Filner, Gloria -- who, along with the other eight council members, had demanded Filner's resignation -- said that he believes the "settlement represents an end to our civil nightmare, and it allows our city to begin to heal." 
 
 "San Diego is back," the incoming interim mayor said later. "We are America's greatest city, and we always will be." 
 
 The agreement signed off on Friday does not affect a lawsuit brought against Filner by Irene McCormack Jackson, the mayor's former communications chief, according to Goldsmith. 
 
 Jackson left her job when she sued the mayor in July -- saying he had subjected women to "crude and disgusting" comments and inappropriate touching -- but remains a municipal employee, Goldsmith noted. He said Friday that the city will continue to engage in mediation talks with Jackson and her lawyer, Gloria Allred. 
 
 Under the mediation agreement, San Diego will dismiss its cross-complaint against Filner in relation to that lawsuit, the city attorney said. 
 
 Goldsmith also said that, for any claims brought against San Diego and Filner for his alleged conduct while mayor, "the city will provide a joint legal defense through the city attorney's office for the city and Mr. Filner." 
 
 Friday's announcement marks the latest milestone in a saga that has gripped San Diego for seven weeks, when the first in what would be 18 women came forward publicly to accuse Filner -- during his time as congressman and, since 2012, as mayor -- of inappropriate behavior. 
 
 Numerous public officials, including all nine city council members and the state's two U.S. Senators, urged Filner to step down. So, too, did a majority of locals, according to polls. 
 
 Some of them voiced that view to city council members Friday, before they convened in private session to make their decision on the agreement. 
 
 Other speakers also rose to support Filner. 
 
 Scott Andrews claimed "everything but due process has occurred," while one woman called what's happening "a circus to get a good man out of office." 
 
 A few offered sympathy for the council members, given what they and other municipal leaders have dealt with in recent weeks and the decision that lay ahead. 
 
 "It is really about the city that we all love," said Laurie Black, a longtime civic leader. "And make your decision with the intentions of loving your city." 
 
 Even once Filner leaves office, the city could bear the repercussions of his alleged behavior. 
 
 As Goldsmith noted, the city can be held liable for the actions of its employees -- including its past and present mayor. 
 
 Filner, himself, is hardly out of the woods. While he now only faces one lawsuit, others could follow. 
 
 Plus, there's the chance that the congressman-turned-mayor could be prosecuted by local, state or federal authorities. 
 
 Speaking to that point after news of the resignation became official, California Attorney General's office spokesman Nick Pacilio said, "We can confirm a criminal investigation is underway."
– He's gone, or will be in a matter of days: San Diego Mayor Bob Filner will resign effective August 30, reports AP. The city council today accepted a deal that calls for Filner to step down after nearly 20 women came forward to accuse him of sexual harassment. The council president will step in as interim mayor until a special election takes place. "I offer a deep apology," Filner told the council, reports CNN. He added this, however: "I have never sexually harassed anyone. But the hysteria that has been created is the hysteria of a lynch mob." As he has in the past, Filner admitted that his actions were inappropriate at times. "The city should not have been put through this," he said. "And my own personal failures were responsible." But he soon pivoted to assert that the claims against him had been exaggerated in an environment in which "allegations become facts." The 70-year-old former congressman, a Democrat, has been in office only 9 months. Filner still faces a lawsuit from his former communications director, who is represented by Gloria Allred.