May 2, 2018 State Representative Carl Trujillo District 46 1 Jerry Hatchet Lane Santa Fe, NM 87506 (505) 699-6690 carl.trujillo@nmlegis.gov via Email Only Re: Open Letter Requesting Resignation Due to Sexual Harassment Mr. Trujillo: My name is Laura Bonar. For years, I have worked as an animal advocate for Animal Protection Voters work that frequently took me to the State Legislature, to work to strengthen New Mexico?s animal protection laws. I love my work and am passionate for this cause, and over the years, I worked with many legislators who were dedicated public servants, who treated their position as a sacred trust. During the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions, I also worked with you. In 2013 and 2014, you sponsored bills that were important to my organization, then used your sponsorship to sexually harass me on multiple occasions. You propositioned me. You touched me inappropriately. You held your power as a state legislator over my head, making it clear to me that my passion for my cause would get me nowhere unless I demonstrated ?passion? for you. You did all of this as a married man. When I ?nally worked up the courage to tell you that I was not willing to succumb to your advances, you did what I feared you would do: you stormed off angrily and shut me out of the legislative process. You stalled work on animal protection legislation, and that legislation died. As an advocate, I was sickened with frustration and guilt; as a woman and a human being, I was sickened with a sense of hopelessness and injustice. I was but one victim of your sexual quid pro quo mentality. Based on your behavior with me, I suspect (although I do not know for sure) that there may be more. For years, I was silent about the sexual harassment that you in?icted on me. I was afraid to speak up: for fear of not being believed; for fear of retaliation, whether I was believed or not; for fear of earning a reputation as a troublemaker, and being unable to do the work that I loved. However, I have been encouraged by the Legislature? 5 recent passage of a formal Anti-Harassment Policy which includes an anti-retaliation clause, in implicit recognition of the reality that all victims face and I am convinced that the time is right to speak my mind. I am writing this open letter to ask that you resign your position as a state representative and end your bid for reelection. I am not bringing legal action against you, although I am prepared to defend myself legally if you try to retaliate against me for exposing what you did to public scrutiny. I don?t want your money. I don?t want your apology. I simply want you to resign. If you want to discuss any of this, you can contact my advocate, an attorney named Levi Monagle. You can reach him by phone at (505) 803 1274, or by email at You tried to sexually exploit me whenl needed your help. You abused your power as a legislator, and with it the trust of your constituents. The people of your district and everyone in this state deserve better. If you are serious about respecting women and allowing them to be heard, you will take this to heart. Sincerely, ?ewm Laura Bonar cc. Santa Fe New Mexican Santa Fe Reporter NM Political Repert LA Monitor LA Daily Post Albuquerque Journal North Valley Daily Post Taos News Gallup Independent Weekly Alibi Associated Press KOB KOAT KRQE KUNM