Bernadette Greene-Placentia reports assault

Bernadette Greene-Placentia's Account of the Assault

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic congressional candidate in Arizona, has reported being sexually assaulted while repairing campaign signs in August. According to Greene-Placentia, she was knocked unconscious and assaulted by two men in a parking lot in Sun City, a suburb of Phoenix. She said she woke up to find one of the men on top of her and tried to fight back by kicking her feet. Greene-Placentia also reported that one of the men may have made a comment about her political affiliation, together with a misogynistic slur. As Greene-Placentia told The Associated Press, "I knew that I had been knocked out."

Investigation and Response

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, and Greene-Placentia's opponent, Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh, has called for a thorough investigation. Hamadeh said in a statement, "I have read the disturbing story and call upon authorities to investigate these serious allegations thoroughly, including finding all possible camera footage of the time and place in order to prosecute the crime to the fullest extent of the law." The sheriff's office has declined to comment on the investigation, citing its ongoing nature.

Greene-Placentia's Decision to Speak Out

Greene-Placentia said she decided to speak out about the assault because she wants to help other victims of sexual assault feel less alone. She said she was initially embarrassed and wanted to forget about the incident, but felt compelled to speak out after realizing that she was telling voters she would advocate for them while not advocating for herself. Greene-Placentia also expressed concern that the allegations might overshadow her messaging around affordability, but said she hopes that by speaking out, she can encourage other women to come forward. As Greene-Placentia stated, "My takeaway is that I have a lot more empathy and understanding of why so many women don’t come forward. And, and I’m hoping that I can encourage them."

Timeline of Events

The assault occurred on August 14, and Greene-Placentia reported it to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office two weeks later. She initially told her husband and campaign staff about the incident, but did not speak publicly about it until recently. Arizona Democratic Party treasurer Greg Freeman said he got a call from Greene-Placentia on August 17, and she told him about the assault. Freeman said, "Obviously she was processing it on the phone. She was just in shock. She was just horrified by what happened."

Detail	Information
Date of assault	August 14
Location of assault	Sun City, Arizona
Number of assailants	2
Greene-Placentia's age	52

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Bernadette Greene-Placentia?

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic congressional candidate in Arizona, reported being sexually assaulted while repairing campaign signs in August. She said she was knocked unconscious and assaulted by two men in a parking lot in Sun City, a suburb of Phoenix.

Is the incident being investigated?

Yes, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident. Greene-Placentia's opponent, Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh, has called for a thorough investigation.

Why did Greene-Placentia decide to speak out about the assault?

Greene-Placentia said she decided to speak out about the assault because she wants to help other victims of sexual assault feel less alone. She said she was initially embarrassed and wanted to forget about the incident, but felt compelled to speak out after realizing that she was telling voters she would advocate for them while not advocating for herself.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Greene-Placentia has said that she hopes that by speaking out, she can encourage other women to come forward and seek help. As the campaign season continues, it will be important to follow developments in this case.