State Sen. Mendoza apologizes, denies sexual misconduct allegations

By JONATHAN J. COOPERThe Associated Press
SACRAMENTO — A California state senator accused of sexual misconduct apologized Wednesday to anyone who felt uncomfortable by his behavior but flatly denied two of the more serious allegations, one involving a 19-year-old female intern, a day before his fellow senators could decide his punishment.
Los Angeles-area Democratic Sen. Tony Mendoza offered his first words of conciliation but otherwise struck a defiant tone in a two-page letter to fellow