RALEIGH, N.C. – Saige Martin, a Raleigh City Council member, resigned Friday after several sexual assault and misconduct allegations.

According to a report in The News & Observer, four men have accused Martin of the alleged incidents that took place in 2018 and 2019.

The executive director of the LGBT Center of Raleigh, Lindsey Hughes, says she has worked with Martin, who is openly gay, and never saw him act in a way that would warrant those types of allegations.

 “My immediate reaction was sadness and disappointment, I felt grateful for the people brave enough to share their stories especially in a climate where it can be scary to share your story," Hughes says.

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin says she was surprised by the resignation.

"I am shocked by the allegations made against Councilor Saige Martin," Baldwin said in a tweet. "He has offered and I have accepted his resignation. Any type of unwanted sexual behavior is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated or excused, especially when perpetrated by someone in a position of influence or power. I commend the survivors for the courage to come forward to tell their stories."

On Friday, Martin told Spectrum News he stands by his comments in the newspaper report that he never held his hand over someone’s mouth like the allegations claim, and that he will release a statement in the near future.