By JONATHAN J. COOPER and MICHAEL R. BLOOD, Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The closely fought race to lead California's Democratic Party took an unusual turn after a leading candidate said he's the target of false rumors about inappropriate behavior with teenage boys.

Details are vague and no one has pinpointed the source of the claims.

But they've added unexpected drama to a little-watched contest that was shaping up as a duel between Bernie Sanders loyalists and the party's establishment wing.

State party vice chair Eric Bauman, one of two leading candidates for the top job, sent an email Sunday to Democrats saying his supporters have heard the rumors while making phone calls to delegates.

Bauman labeled them "despicable lies."

His chief rival in the race, activist and Sanders supporter Kimberly Ellis, denounced any "cruel maligning of someone's character."

Democrats pick the next chair May 20.