Somehow, Michael “Spanky” Duvall thinks that he can get away with this statement:

Assemblyman Duvall Denies Reports that He Had Affair

I want to make it clear that my decision to resign is in no way an admission that I had an affair or affairs. My offense was engaging in inappropriate story-telling and I regret my language and choice of words. The resulting media coverage was proving to be an unneeded distraction to my colleagues and I resigned in the hope that my decision would allow them to return to the business of the state.

Apparently, Duvall was spinning a tale, in a private conversation never meant to be heard by anyone but his colleague, about a man named “Michael Duvall” who just happened to be sleeping with the same woman that everyone in Sacramento has seen him palling around with for the last several months.  It was a bit of magical realism, I guess.

Actually, Duvall would be legally culpable if he admitted an affair with an industry lobbyist on a committee on which he sat.  So this is CYA stuff.

I’m beginning to rethink my position that a Yacht Party member is equal in value to an empty chair in the Legislature.  Actually, the empty chair has significant advantages.  It’s a predictable non-vote, equivalent to a no vote under the 2/3 rules, and crucially, the empty chair has almost no possibility of ever saying anything this stupid.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the Yacht Party just decided to keep the seat vacant.  Would save them a lot of trouble.

…Giving Duvall a run for his money in the stupidity department, Jeff Miller, who was sitting next to Duvall when he told these yarns, claims he didn’t hear them and wasn’t paying attention because Duvall is always spouting off about something.  So they were tall tales told to an audience of none.

Miller had better watch his back for a primary challenge against an empty chair.  Chesterfields wouldn’t try to peddle the “I wasn’t listening” defense.

As Robert notes in an update, OC Assemblyman and noted utility lobbyist spanker Mike Duvall resigned his seat effective immediately.

Looking past for a moment the hilariousness of the family values Republican bragging about his multiple mistresses, and the very serious allegations of sex-for-favors with lobbyists, which should be investigated by the Ethics Committee and state prosecutors, there’s a point to be made about the 2/3 requirement here.

Duvall’s resignation reduces the number of lawmakers in the Assembly by one.  Democrats now hold 50 seats, Republicans 28, with Juan Arambula as a Dem-leaning independent.  However, because you need 2/3 voting affirmatively to pass a budget or tax increases, not 1/3 voting negatively to block it, this changes nothing in Sacramento.  Duvall’s seat being empty is pretty much the same as him voting no on everything.  So unless Democrats can capitalize and win the seat (and I highly doubt it in that district), it’s not useful from a voting perspective.  

Just thought you should know, being a Yacht Party member is literally the same as not existing.

UPDATE by Robert: See the Courage Campaign’s press release, calling for the Attorney General to investigate this, in the comments.