Matt Dababneh

According to the Los Angeles Times, "Preliminary findings by an independent investigator hired by the Assembly Rules Committee substantiated Lopez’s allegation in June {2018}. The conclusion was based on interviews with Lopez and more than 50 witnesses. Dababneh also participated in the investigation."

After hearing of Dababneh's resignation, Lopez said this was only the beginning if he wanted to truly atone for his actions. She called on him to donate his 2018 campaign money (reported to be over a million dollars) to a rape crisis or trauma center. Lopez also announced that day she'd heard from several other women with allegations against Dababneh that ranged from sexual harassment to assault.

On December 4, 2017, Pamela Lopez, a Sacramento lobbyist, alleged that Dababneh sexually assaulted her. According to Lopez, in 2016 Dababneh pushed her into a Las Vegas hotel bathroom, masturbated in front of her and urged her to touch him. "I felt the weight of a body push me into the restroom." Dababneh has strongly denied the allegation, and his attorney Patricia L. Glaser, who also represents embattled film producer Harvey Weinstein, threatened to sue Lopez for defamation. "I affirmatively deny that this event ever happened," said Dababneh. "I am saddened by this lobbyist's effort... for her own self-promotion."

In March 2017, Dababneh coauthored the controversial California Senate Bill 649 which would remove a city's ability to control where the technology is placed and transfer that power to the state and is considered "an unconstitutional bill that forcibly exposes neighborhoods to constant, hazardous 4G/5G microwave radiation."

Dababneh took office in January 2014, after winning the November 2013 election to complete the remaining 2014 term vacated by the 2013 resignation of Bob Blumenfield to represent Los Angeles City Council District 3. Dababneh won the seat in closely contested run-off election after finishing 329 votes ahead of his opponent. He won a full term in 2014, and secured a spot in the general election of 2016 finishing as the top vote getter in June primary with 49.24% of the vote. This came after Dababneh received more than $350,000 in outside money in support of his re-election bid. Prior to the June 2016 primary he faced criticism from local Democratic activists for positions he had taken while in office.

Dababneh was raised in the Inland Empire and graduated from La Sierra Academy in 1999. Dababneh went on to graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a degree in Political Science and History. He was on the staff of the John Kerry for President campaign in 2004.

Matt Dababneh is an American politician who served in the California State Assembly. A Democrat, he represented the 45th Assembly District, which encompasses most of the western San Fernando Valley.

Prior to being elected to the state assembly, for eight years he was the district chief of staff and senior aide to United States Congressman Brad Sherman of the 30th U.S. Congressional district.