In the days preceeding the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election, it was widely reported by the media that Schwarzenegger, who was leading in the polls (and subsequently won the election) groped scores of women on movie sets during his film acting career. The allegations caused an especially large stir because they were reported only a few days before the election, while it was maintained by some that these media sources, particularly the Los Angeles Times, had the damaging information for weeks before they chose to report it.
While Schwarzenegger publicly apologized for some of his actions (not specifying which), saying he "behaved badly," and denied others, there was further speculation that the current governor, Gray Davis, was responsible for financing a campaign to locate women who were willing to make these allegations. This speculation was never substantiated, and, with the landslide victory of Schwarzenegger, the media frenzy surrounding the gropings dissipated.