Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic candidate for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, said she was raped over the summer while attempting to repair a campaign sign, an allegation she made public as she continues her challenge to GOP Rep. Abe Hamadeh.
Greene-Placentia told the Phoenix New Times that the attack occurred in Sun City, north of Phoenix, at about 2 a.m. as she walked toward a campaign sign in a parking lot. She said she was attacked, subdued and later woke up to find she was being raped by an unknown assailant, according to the Phoenix New Times account.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to ABC News that a report was filed on Aug. 31 and that an investigation is ongoing, but the office declined to comment further, ABC News reported. A campaign spokesperson told ABC News the attack happened around 2 a.m. on Aug. 14.
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“Bernadette made the difficult decision to speak publicly about the assault because she wants other survivors to know they are not alone,” the spokesperson said. “She is grateful for the support she has received from the community and asks that her privacy be respected as she continues to process what happened.”
Campaign team and opponent responses
In a phone call with ABC News, Greene-Placentia’s campaign manager, Isaiah Lopez, said she was “missing in action” for two days after the alleged assault. Lopez said the campaign was at a canvass event in Chandler a couple of days after the incident, on a Sunday, and that Greene-Placentia was “noticeably distraught.” He said he and the campaign communications manager spoke with her privately during the event, and she told them she had been raped while repairing campaign signs.
Greene-Placentia is running in Arizona’s 8th District to try to unseat Rep. Abe Hamadeh. In a statement responding to the published account, Hamadeh said: “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. No American should become a victim of a crime in their own community.”
Greene-Placentia’s campaign provided an undated photo of the candidate to news outlets. The candidate has described her decision to go public as part of her work speaking for Arizona residents and for “women that are victims of sexual assault,” according to the Phoenix New Times interview.
Authorities have not publicly announced any arrests or identified a suspect. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News only that a report was filed and that the investigation is active.
This report draws on accounts from the Phoenix New Times and statements to ABC News by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Greene-Placentia’s campaign representatives and Hamadeh’s campaign.
