Democratic Congressional candidate Doug Applegate was accused of harassing his former wife during a contentious divorce a decade ago, according to a story published Tuesday by the national website POLITICO.
Applegate, who is now remarried, told POLITICO the accusations that surfaced during his divorce were taken out of context. “The court looked at them [and] rejected any findings of wrongdoing on my part,” he told the website.
He said the issues have long since been resolved, and both Applegate and his former wife, Priscilla Greco, issued statements describing the accusations as a personal attack.
“I’m disappointed that someone is making disrespectful and uninformed personal attacks against our family,” said Greco. “Doug and I are parents first, and we raised two amazing children together. I support his run for Congress and I will be voting for him in November.”
Applegate faces eight-term Republican Congressman Darrell Issa in November and described the report as “a desperate and politically motivated attack from Congressman Darrel Issa on my family.”
POLITICO also reported that Applegate was charged with DUI and pleaded guilty to reckless driving in 2000. The article was based on a search of public records in Orange County.
“The disturbing information in these public records raise serious questions that Doug Applegate hasn’t come close to answering about his personal temperament, treatment of women and fitness for office,” said Issa campaign spokesman Jonathan Wilcox.
Issa and Applegate are battling to represent the 49th District, which encompasses north San Diego and south Orange counties.
