SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Democratic Sen. Tony Mendoza has been formally stripped of a committee chairmanship amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The Senate Rules Committee voted Monday to remove him as chair of the Insurance, Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and from his appointments to boards and commissions. There was no discussion. Mendoza, who is from the Los Angeles area, faces allegations of inappropriate behavior toward three women who previously worked for him. The Senate plans to hire an outside firm to investigate. Mendoza is accused of inviting one woman to his home, offering another alcohol when she was 19, and repeatedly holding one-on-one meetings with another over dinner or drinks. His behavior with two of the women was formally reported. Mendoza has denied the allegations involving offering a staff member alcohol and otherwise said he wouldn’t knowingly abuse his authority. Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra resigned Monday following allegations of sexual misconduct.