Heidi DeJong Barsuglia Denies Mike Duvall Affair: Energy Lobbyist Reinstated After Recorded Sex Talk

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An energy lobbyist who was the subject of an investigation after a former California lawmaker was caught on tape bragging about having sex with her is denying the relationship and has been reinstated to her job.

In a statement released Monday, Sempra Energy lobbyist Heidi Barsuglia called the scandal surrounding former Assemblyman Mike Duvall's comments "a professional and personal nightmare." She denied engaging in any kind of illegal or unethical behavior.

Her attorney, Malcolm Segal, added: "Just so there is no doubt left in anyone's mind, what Mr. Duvall later called 'inappropriate storytelling' was just a plain old-fashioned lie. Mrs. Barsuglia is considering all of her legal remedies."

Duvall, a 54-year-old married father of two, was recorded last July during a break in a committee hearing telling another lawmaker about his extramarital exploits with two lobbyists.

Legislative committee hearings are videotaped as a matter of practice, and Duvall apparently was unaware his microphone was on.

He could be heard on the tape describing in lurid detail his sexual conquests, including a spanking fetish, the skimpy, "eyepatch" underwear of one woman and his carrying on two affairs simultaneously.

Duvall, a lawmaker from Yorba Linda known for promoting family value issues, resigned the day after the tapes became public in September, saying he did not want to distract the Legislature. He said his only offense "was engaging in inappropriate storytelling."

The statement from the Sempra Energy lobbyist came as the FBI announced it was ending its investigation into Duvall's alleged relationships. The state attorney general, California Fair Political Practices Commission and Assembly Ethics Committee also have declined to investigate.

Sempra said Barsuglia, 39, is being taken off leave and will be fully reinstated. The company said its internal personnel investigation is closed.

"The company does not tolerate the type of behavior alleged in the media reports," the company said in a statement.

Barsuglia's attorney said Duvall's comments defamed her and that he did little to repair the damage after they were made public.

"Her reputation, her job, and her exemplary career have all been placed in jeopardy by Duvall's disgusting remarks," Segal said.

Duvall did not immediately return a telephone message left Monday at his Farmers Insurance office in Yorba Linda.

Comments

[firewmn]

**You LIE**.....­..........­well one of them anyways..!

[zooperman]

A politician lying??? A man making up stories about his sexual exploits??? How could this be???

Yes you sleazy, snickering children, there will be a lawsuit. A great big fat defamation lawsuit that will cost Duvall a lot of money.

[Okieborn]

I have never ever seen the like of FREE PASSES being given to the guilty !!!

[ColoradoDan]

A Lobbyist IS basically a prostitute!!!

There is no honor in this 'job' ... except a big paycheck.

Another whitewash.

[Jyoti Naik]

Knowing politicians, more of them are going to line up to be lobbied by Heidi :-)

[Jyoti Naik]

"Lobbyist" is the new euphemism for "prostitution"
One trades sex for money while the other trades sex for policy favors

I have personally seen these so called "lobbyists" or "marketers" at work at conventions. They hate the fact that I am a woman and they can't use these tricks on me :-)

[topguide]

yeah right, So why no legal action if this is false?

""Her reputation, her job, and her exemplary career have all been placed in jeopardy by Duvall's disgusting remarks," Segal said."

[ocprogressgrl]

There is another lobbyist scandal in Orange County involving Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. Just google Loretta Sanchez Scandal for the details. She has allegedly been involved with a lobbyist who lobbies the committees she sits on, and she hasn't denied it when asked by bloggers. It is all so disturbing that these pols think that they can have their cake and eat it too by involving themselves so intimately with people on the other side of the revolving door.

[HC4BO]

She looks like the sort to engage in the spanking ....

[Choicelady]

People in Sacramento know Duvall is a nasty braggart. The FBI investigated the frequency and duration of contact witnessed by his staff on the day in question and found no evidence she had even been in the office or was ever there often. I do not know either party, but it is very likely she is completely innocent. Duvall's hyper fantasy life may well have destroyed hers. He has said things about other women, all of it lies. Duvall has major problems, is a massive "family values" hypocrite, and if he has ruined her reputation without cause, I hope she sues the daylights out of him. All of the comments here are aimed at HER - but where is the outrage about HIM????

[Micki Pacific]

These lobbyists are giving escort workers a bad name.

[Jyoti Naik]

true :)

[Bounceem]

Huh. Wonder if her husband is dumb enough to believe it.

[ragtag]

I'm not really sure why the lyrics..

"Heidi, Heidi Hi"
"Heidi, Heidi Ho[sic]"

..popped into my head when reading this article, but there they were.

[Jyoti Naik]

LOL

[duxguts]

So he's a 'Lawmaker' is he?

[firewmn]

yea, .like Charlie Rangle oversee's Tax Reform.....!!..lol

[DickTater]

unbelievable...all the responsible parties turn their back on checking into this.