Councilman Huizar says affair with former aide was ‘huge mistake’

Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar said Tuesday that his extramarital relationship with a former aide was a “huge mistake” but added that he expects voters will judge him on his accomplishments.

Huizar attended his first council meeting since his former deputy chief of staff, Francine Godoy, filed a lawsuit accusing him of waging a campaign of sexual harassment and retaliation against her.

Running for a third four-year term in the March 2015 election, Huizar has called Godoy’s allegations false while also confirming he had an “occasional and consensual” relationship with her.

PHOTOS: Political sex scandals

“I made a huge mistake when it comes to the relationship I had with this woman,” said Huizar, standing in a stairwell near the council chamber.

Huizar made his remarks hours before he was scheduled to hold a campaign fundraiser in downtown L.A. for his reelection campaign That event will feature Council President Herb Wesson as a special guest.

Huizar would not say how long the relationship with Godoy lasted. He also declined to describe her duties in his office. Asked whether voters would care about an extramarital affair, he pointed to his work in his district, which includes the Boyle Heights and El Sereno neighborhoods.

“I think the voters will look at my record,” said Huizar, who argued that his staff has done a “tremendous job.”

“We have brought tremendous resources to neighborhoods that have been neglected for decades,” he added.

ALSO:

City Hall staff kept quiet on L.A. streetcar red flags

Unemployment drops to 5-year low, but job growth disappoints

iPads for L.A. Unified could now cost $770 each, a 14% increase

Twitter: @DavidZahniser

david.zahniser@latimes.com