Reports: Bob Filner to resign as San Diego mayor

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner reportedly will resign as part of a deal to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit, according to two local TV stations.

NBC News 7 in San Diego cites "several" unnamed sources as saying Filner will step down after a closed session of the City Council on Friday. The ABC affiliate said it has "confirmed" Filner will resign.

At least 18 women have come forward to accuse the mayor, a Democrat and former member of Congress, of inappropriate behavior such as groping and unwanted kissing. He has apologized for his behavior and recently went through two weeks of therapy.

Filner and the city reached an agreement Wednesday after three days of talks to settle the lawsuit against the mayor and San Diego. City Attorney Jan Goldsmith announced the deal but did not divulge details pending a resolution to be approved by the City Council.

Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents one of Filner's accusers, and Filner's former fiancee Bronwyn Ingram are scheduled to hold a news conference at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET on Thursday to discuss the tentative settlement.

A petition drive to recall the mayor began recently and organizers have vowed they will not stop collecting signatures unless Filner, elected in November, leaves office. Filner has rebuffed repeated calls to step aside from his colleagues on the City Council as well as from top Democrats such as national party chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and both of California's U.S. senators.

Dianne York, a San Diego businesswoman, became the 18th woman to accuse Filner when she came forward this week. She said the mayor put his hands on her buttocks during a photo opportunity earlier this year.

Irene McCormack Jackson, Filner's former communications director, filed her lawsuit in July accusing Filner of inappropriate behavior. In the court documents, she described as being drawn into a virtual "head lock" with the mayor as he suggested they have sex.

Filner, 70, served in Congress for 10 terms until he became the first Democrat elected to lead San Diego in 20 years.