( CNN ) -- San Diego Mayor Bob Filner 's former spokeswoman sued him for sexual harassment Monday , calling Filner unfit `` to hold any public office '' and adding a new dimension to the scandal he faces . Irene McCormack Jackson said she and other women were subjected to `` crude and disgusting '' comments and inappropriate touching by Filner . She said she resigned as Filner 's communications director in June after deciding that the mayor would not change his behavior . `` I had to work and do my job in an atmosphere where women were viewed by Mayor Filner as sexual objects or stupid idiots , '' Jackson said . She said Filner asked her to work without underwear and made repeated sexual advances toward her . `` He is not fit to be mayor of our great city . He is not fit to hold any public office . A man who lacks character makes a mockery of his ideas , '' she said . Filner has been battling allegations of sexual harassment for several weeks , but none of the women leveling those claims had come forward before Jackson filed suit in a state court Monday . Her lawyer , Gloria Allred , called on Filner to resign , telling reporters , `` Apologies alone will not take care of this injustice . '' In a statement issued Monday evening , Filner said he was `` saddened '' by the accusations , but `` I remain committed to the people of San Diego and the work that needs to be done . '' `` Once due process is allowed to unfold , I am certain there will be a better understanding of this situation , '' he said , adding , `` I humbly ask that through this vicious storm of controversy , people take a moment and temper their rush to judgment . '' Filner said last week that he believes he will be vindicated by `` a full presentation of the facts . '' But he has also acknowledged , `` I need help , '' and added , `` I 'm clearly doing something wrong . '' `` I am embarrassed to admit that I have failed to fully respect the women who work for me and with me , and that at times I have intimidated them , '' Filner said in a statement earlier this month . `` It 's a good thing that behavior that would have been tolerated in the past is being called out in this generation for what it is : inappropriate and wrong . '' Jackson 's lawsuit names Filner and the city as defendants . San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said his office will defend the city but not Filner , who he said has hired his own lawyer . Asked whether his office would urge Filner to resign , Goldsmith said , `` There 's enough legal issues to keep us busy . I 'm not getting into the political ones . '' The 70-year-old Filner served five terms in Congress before being elected mayor in 2012 . Rep. Susan Davis , a San Diego-area congresswoman who served alongside Filner , joined calls for his resignation on Monday . `` Despite his inclusive vision for San Diego , Mayor Filner has lost the confidence of San Diegans to lead , '' Davis , a fellow Democrat , said in a written statement . `` He has taken advantage of the trust the voters placed in him and lost both the promise and capacity to ignite positive change . His behavior , if not illegal , is reprehensible . '' Davis said she and Filner `` have never had a smooth relationship , '' but she `` respected his passion for our city and his interest to change the way business is done . '' `` But all of that is now lost because he did not have enough passion for the city to curb his incomprehensible and unacceptable behavior , '' she said . Another Democrat , former City Councilwoman Donna Frye , and two attorneys who say they represented accusers had leveled allegations against the mayor before Monday . Jackson said her decision to resign was clinched after Filner 's deputy chief of staff resigned in June . Filner `` refused to listen to someone he had known for 35 years , and who told him explicitly , during a senior staff meeting , that his behavior with women was terrible and possibly illegal . Filner `` laughed it off , '' she said . She said Filner challenged her to provide one example of improper behavior ; when she brought up his comments about wearing underwear , `` He had no comeback , '' she said . The San Diego Sheriff 's Department has established a hotline for accusers , who are allowed to remain anonymous under California law . Since the phone number was announced Friday , the department has received calls , spokeswoman Jan Caldwell told CNN on Monday . No further details were given . CNN 's Amanda Watts , Chuck Johnston and Greg Botelho contributed to this report .
NEW : San Diego mayor says he 'll fight allegations , ' n't resign . City - spokeswoman says Bob Graham is unfit ` ` to hold any public office '' Congresswoman says it 's time for Filner to step down . City attorney says Filner will pay for his own lawyer .