Ex-Windsor mayor who faced sexual assault accusations considers running for office again

WINDSOR, Calif. (KGO) -- A former mayor of the Sonoma County town of Windsor is attempting a political comeback.

This is after resigning following accusations of sexual assault and lawsuit by multiple women.

"It's something I wouldn't say no to at this point, for sure. I love my town. And, you don't get involved in local politics for the money or any perks," said Dominic Foppoli. "I think I can do a better job than anybody else who is stepping up in the community. I feel like it's your responsibility to make your community a better place."

Foppoli previously served three terms as mayor of Windsor. He resigned three years ago following allegations of sexual assault, including rape. He describes the accusers as former girlfriends and political opponents.

But as Foppoli points out, despite years of investigations, he has never been charged. Even California State Attorney General Rob Bonta acknowledged there wasn't enough evidence to file charges. However, he does face a civil trial in June.

RELATED: Ex-Windsor mayor breaks silence after CA suspends investigation into alleged sexual assaults

"Every single email, text message, they've interviewed everybody I think that I have had a relationship within 20 years. And they didn't find so much as to charge me with a parking ticket," Foppoli said.

Foppoli and his wife spend part of their time in Italy and part of it in Windsor. He says he just returned to Windsor a month ago and has already received community encouragement to run again.

Like from former town commissioner Catherine Hanron.

"He was trying to revitalize the place. He was trying to get a hotel to go through," Hanron said. "I believe he was doing a very good job and I have seen it go downhill since."

But others aren't as enthusiastic.

"Normal people aren't accused of sexual assault," said Kshatriya Millick, who used to work at Windsor High School.

RELATED: Home of former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli raided by police in sexual assault investigation

Millick said sexual assault is difficult to prove. She believes just because Foppoli wasn't charged, doesn't mean he is innocent.

"With the president we have right now, it is not surprising that we have people who are criminals, or people who are accused of crimes like that, feeling that they can hold office," Millick said.

Foppoli is accused of misconduct by at least seven women in multiple civil lawsuits, but he has not been charged with a crime.

He previously told ABC7 the encounters were consensual.

Foppoli resigned in 2021.

He sent a full statement to ABC7:

"My focus for this year is starting a family, fully moving back to Windsor, and winning decisively and completely in civil court.

With that said, I have had countless Windsor residents in the last few months ask me to consider coming back to my role as Mayor in next year's election.

My wife and I supported and attended the Windsor Rotary Gala a few weeks ago and were overwhelmed by the incredibly positive reaction we received throughout the entire event.

The truth is that it's sad to see what has happened to our beautiful town since I left office.

Small businesses are closing due to a lack of traffic. People are complaining about more homelessness and crime than in recent memory.

We have a giant construction hole in the middle our downtown where the council and I approved a beautiful hotel that has no sign of moving forward due to current town leadership.

The only construction that is happening is extreme low income housing. Our town has huge budget problems and their response is to kill vacation rentals which further hurts tourism traffic, plus nearly a million dollars a year in total revenue . Not to mention, the huge casino being built, without any revenue deals whatsoever with our local government.

If the town continues to fall down this terrible path, with the support of my family, I will seriously consider accepting a call to run next year.

-Dominic."

The election for mayor is next year.