Michael D. Duvall
Encyclopedia
Michael Dobbins Duvall is a Republican
politician
and a former member of the California State Assembly
. Duvall was first elected as the Assemblyman for California's 72nd District
in 2006, and was re-elected in 2008. During his time in the Assembly, he served as the vice chairman of the Utilities & Commerce Committee. Prior to his service in the Assembly, he served on the Yorba Linda
City Council
from 2000–2006 and was a mayor of Yorba Linda, and owned an insurance agency.
In July 2009, Duvall was caught on tape bragging to a fellow committee member about extramarital sex with two women, one of them a lobbyist. Los Angeles
local television first aired the tape on September 8, 2009, and Duvall resigned the next day.
, and fly back to southern California on weekends.
Duvall served on the Yorba Linda
City Council
from 2000 to 2006 and was elected mayor twice during that period. Chapman University
awarded Duvall the Ethics in America Award in 2000 for his "demonstration of the highest standards of ethical integrity" while a member of the Chamber team. He also owned an insurance agency. In January 2005, he was appointed to the Orange County Transportation Authority
(OCTA) and served on the Foothill/Eastern Corridor Joint Powers Authority, on the Orange County Sanitation District, as a Director of the Ground Water Replenishment System, and as a Member of the Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency. Prior to being elected to the City Council, Duvall served as President of the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce, as chairman of the Yorba Linda General Plan Steering Committee, and as co-chair of "Safe Streets Are for Everyone." In 2006, Duvall sought to allow Orange County government officials to force the California Department of Transportation to fix broken roads and other problems in the county, which he alleged the department ignored.
in 2006, and was re-elected in 2008. The district includes much of inland Orange County
, including the cities of Fullerton
and Anaheim. During his time in the Assembly, he served as the vice chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, which monitored the operations of the California Department of Transportation
, Department of Motor Vehicles
, and California Highway Patrol
. Later, he was assigned to the Assembly Insurance Committee, the Education Finance Subcommittee, and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that oversaw the Legislative Analyst's Office. In 2009, Duvall was appointed vice chair of the Utilities and Commerce Committee, which reviews legislation of public utilities.
Legislation Duvall authored included Assembly Bill 2110, which would require people to pass a vessel operator exam or class before getting a license to operate boats or other watercraft. He also authored a bill to allow public schools in the state to spend otherwise categorical funding more flexibly.
According to a voter guide that The Orange County Register published for the 2006 State Assembly Republican primary
for the 72nd district, Duvall supported limiting government expenditures and housing regulations, the latter of which he believed caused higher housing costs. Regarding developments, he believed in balancing preserving and setting aside open space. An opponent of illegal immigration
, he supported tougher border security and enforcement of immigration law. In 2008, Duvall supported Proposition 8
, which reversed the California Supreme Court decision
recognizing same-sex marriage
in the state.
, wherein he described two different affairs he was currently engaged in with two women, one of them being a lobbyist. Duvall's microphone was "live," and his graphic descriptions, although whispered, were recorded.
The story was first reported on September 8, 2009 by KCAL 9 News
, which aired footage of the conversation. The same evening, the OC Weekly
published an in-depth piece covering Duvall's affairs, including some of the more graphic parts of the conversation which KCAL was unable to air. One of the affairs raised ethical questions, as it was with a lobbyist for Sempra Energy
and Duvall was Vice Chairman of the Assembly's Utility and Commerce Committee.
Duvall resigned during the noon hour on September 9, less than 15 hours after the story broke. On November 2, the FBI announced it had conducted an investigation of Duvall's actions, and that he would not face federal charges. In response, Sempra Energy
reinstated lobbyist Heidi Barsuglia, the woman with whom Duvall allegedly had an affair. Barsuglia released a statement saying: "This experience has been a professional and personal nightmare. I did nothing whatsoever illegal or unethical with former Assemblyman Duvall or anyone else." She may pursue legal action against Duvall.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and a former member of the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
. Duvall was first elected as the Assemblyman for California's 72nd District
California's 72nd State Assembly district
California's 72nd State Assembly District is one of 80 districts in the California State Assembly. It is currently represented by Republican Chris Norby of Fullerton.-District profile:...
in 2006, and was re-elected in 2008. During his time in the Assembly, he served as the vice chairman of the Utilities & Commerce Committee. Prior to his service in the Assembly, he served on the Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda, California
Yorba Linda is a suburban city in northeastern Orange County, California, approximately northeast of Downtown Santa Ana, and southeast of Downtown Los Angeles....
City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
from 2000–2006 and was a mayor of Yorba Linda, and owned an insurance agency.
In July 2009, Duvall was caught on tape bragging to a fellow committee member about extramarital sex with two women, one of them a lobbyist. Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
local television first aired the tape on September 8, 2009, and Duvall resigned the next day.
Personal life and early career
Duvall lives in Yorba Linda with his wife Susan Duvall, and has two adult children. Susan is a local small business owner. While in the Assembly, Duvall would spend most weekdays in SacramentoSacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
, and fly back to southern California on weekends.
Duvall served on the Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda, California
Yorba Linda is a suburban city in northeastern Orange County, California, approximately northeast of Downtown Santa Ana, and southeast of Downtown Los Angeles....
City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
from 2000 to 2006 and was elected mayor twice during that period. Chapman University
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
awarded Duvall the Ethics in America Award in 2000 for his "demonstration of the highest standards of ethical integrity" while a member of the Chamber team. He also owned an insurance agency. In January 2005, he was appointed to the Orange County Transportation Authority
Octa
Octa may refer to:*Octa, Ohio*Octa of Kent , early king of Kent*Okta, a cloud cover over one eighth of the sky in weather reports*octa, an Infrastructure-as-a-Service portal for Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization...
(OCTA) and served on the Foothill/Eastern Corridor Joint Powers Authority, on the Orange County Sanitation District, as a Director of the Ground Water Replenishment System, and as a Member of the Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency. Prior to being elected to the City Council, Duvall served as President of the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce, as chairman of the Yorba Linda General Plan Steering Committee, and as co-chair of "Safe Streets Are for Everyone." In 2006, Duvall sought to allow Orange County government officials to force the California Department of Transportation to fix broken roads and other problems in the county, which he alleged the department ignored.
State Assembly
Duvall was first elected as the Assemblyman for California's 72nd DistrictCalifornia's 72nd State Assembly district
California's 72nd State Assembly District is one of 80 districts in the California State Assembly. It is currently represented by Republican Chris Norby of Fullerton.-District profile:...
in 2006, and was re-elected in 2008. The district includes much of inland Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, including the cities of Fullerton
Fullerton, California
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...
and Anaheim. During his time in the Assembly, he served as the vice chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, which monitored the operations of the California Department of Transportation
California Department of Transportation
The California Department of Transportation is a government department in the U.S. state of California. Its mission is to improve mobility across the state. It manages the state highway system and is actively involved with public transportation systems throughout the state...
, Department of Motor Vehicles
California Department of Motor Vehicles
The California Department of Motor Vehicles is the state agency responsible for the registration of motor vehicles and boats and the issuance of driver's licenses in the U.S. state of California. It is responsible for regulating new car dealers , commercial cargo carriers, private driving...
, and California Highway Patrol
California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
. Later, he was assigned to the Assembly Insurance Committee, the Education Finance Subcommittee, and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that oversaw the Legislative Analyst's Office. In 2009, Duvall was appointed vice chair of the Utilities and Commerce Committee, which reviews legislation of public utilities.
Legislation Duvall authored included Assembly Bill 2110, which would require people to pass a vessel operator exam or class before getting a license to operate boats or other watercraft. He also authored a bill to allow public schools in the state to spend otherwise categorical funding more flexibly.
Political positions
The conservative Capitol Resource Institute gave him a 100% rating, calling him "a consistent trooper for the conservative causes" who "voted time and time again to protect and preserve family values in California".According to a voter guide that The Orange County Register published for the 2006 State Assembly Republican primary
California State Assembly elections, 2006
The 2006 California State Assembly elections were held November 7, 2006. Voters in all 80 districts of the California State Assembly voted for their representatives. The California Democratic Party retained its majority with 48 seats. The California Republican Party retained control of the...
for the 72nd district, Duvall supported limiting government expenditures and housing regulations, the latter of which he believed caused higher housing costs. Regarding developments, he believed in balancing preserving and setting aside open space. An opponent of illegal immigration
Illegal immigration to the United States
An illegal immigrant in the United States is an alien who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa....
, he supported tougher border security and enforcement of immigration law. In 2008, Duvall supported Proposition 8
California Proposition 8 (2008)
Proposition 8 was a ballot proposition and constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections...
, which reversed the California Supreme Court decision
In re Marriage Cases
In re Marriage Cases 43 Cal.4th 757 [76 Cal.Rptr.3d 683, 183 P.3d 384], was a California Supreme Court case with the dual holding that "statutes that treat persons differently because of their sexual orientation should be subjected to strict scrutiny" and the existing "California legislative and...
recognizing same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
in the state.
Extramarital affairs and resignation
During a lull in a July 8, 2009 appropriations committee meeting, Duvall had a conversation with fellow Republican committee member and Assemblyman Jeff MillerJeff Miller (California politician)
Jeff Miller is a California State Assemblyman representing California's 71st State Assembly district, which spans the edge of Eastern Orange County and takes in the majority of Western Riverside County. A small business owner, he served 8 years as both the Mayor and a City Councilman in the City...
, wherein he described two different affairs he was currently engaged in with two women, one of them being a lobbyist. Duvall's microphone was "live," and his graphic descriptions, although whispered, were recorded.
The story was first reported on September 8, 2009 by KCAL 9 News
KCAL-TV
KCAL-TV, channel 9, is an independent television station in Los Angeles, California, USA, owned by the CBS Corporation. KCAL-TV shares its studio facilities with KCBS-TV inside CBS Studio Center in the Studio City section of Los Angeles, and its transmitter is located atop Mount Wilson.-Digital...
, which aired footage of the conversation. The same evening, the OC Weekly
OC Weekly
OC Weekly, a sister publication of both LA Weekly and The Village Voice, is a free, left-wing weekly paper distributed in Orange County, California and also in Long Beach....
published an in-depth piece covering Duvall's affairs, including some of the more graphic parts of the conversation which KCAL was unable to air. One of the affairs raised ethical questions, as it was with a lobbyist for Sempra Energy
Sempra Energy
Sempra Energy is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego, California. It divides its interests into two broad categories: Sempra Utilities, including Pacific Enterprises/Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas & Electric; and Sempra Global, a holding company for...
and Duvall was Vice Chairman of the Assembly's Utility and Commerce Committee.
Duvall resigned during the noon hour on September 9, less than 15 hours after the story broke. On November 2, the FBI announced it had conducted an investigation of Duvall's actions, and that he would not face federal charges. In response, Sempra Energy
Sempra Energy
Sempra Energy is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego, California. It divides its interests into two broad categories: Sempra Utilities, including Pacific Enterprises/Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas & Electric; and Sempra Global, a holding company for...
reinstated lobbyist Heidi Barsuglia, the woman with whom Duvall allegedly had an affair. Barsuglia released a statement saying: "This experience has been a professional and personal nightmare. I did nothing whatsoever illegal or unethical with former Assemblyman Duvall or anyone else." She may pursue legal action against Duvall.