Assemblywoman Asked Aides to Play 'Spin the Bottle' After Heavy Drinking Following Fundraiser

A California state assemblywoman tried to start a game of "spin the bottle" with some members of her staff following a political fundraiser four years ago and fired one staffer who objected, according to that former staffer's complaint released Sunday.

Cristina Garcia, who has represented her state's 58th district since 2012, was accused by the ex-staffer David John Kernick of firing him after he questioned her suggestion of playing the game, according to a complaint filed with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Politico reported.

While working as a field representative, Kernick said in his complaint, he and other members of Garcia's staff along with a male friend of Garcia's wound up sitting on the floor of a hotel room when she asked if anyone wanted to "spin the bottle" after a fundraiser and "heavy drinking" in 2014.

He said the game, in which participants kiss each other, was not played but that those in attendance were uncomfortable.

"It was definitely uncomfortable,'' Kernick told Politico. "But I realized it's different for a man than for a woman…You know it's inappropriate, but at the same time you may wonder, 'How many women do you work for that act like that?' You think…'Maybe she's just really cool.'''

In the complaint, Kernick also claimed Garcia, 40, questioned his taking a medical leave in front of other staffers after a car accident on the job.

Kernick said that Garcia had not criticized his work until after he challenged her on playing "spin the bottle." In the complaint, Garcia's suggestion of playing the game was characterized as "sexual harassment," and Kernick claimed Garcia wrote him up for "insubordination" and fired him two days after the write-up was filed.

The allegations against Garcia stand in contrast to her advocacy for the #MeToo movement, which has given victims of sexual harassment and assault means to name their attackers publicly.

Earlier this month, Garcia denied accusations of sexual misconduct but announced she was voluntarily taking an unpaid leave of absence as an investigation into the alleged misconduct got underway.

Other staffers who wished to remain anonymous signed a letter last week that accused Garcia creating a "toxic" place to work and for vividly speaking about her sex life in front of staffers.

Alcohol consumption was also reportedly a major part of Garcia's office. An unnamed lobbyist told Politico that he witnessed Garcia pour a beer from a kegerator in her office during a policy meeting last year.