No Evidence Those in D.A. Office Gave Fugitive Aid

An investigation by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office into whether any of its employees helped former Deputy Dist. Atty. Harvey Harper flee the area before his conviction for sexually abusing his two daughters has ended without uncovering any evidence against current or former prosecutors, officials said Thursday.

“Our investigation to determine whether any administrative action should be taken has come to an end,” said Assistant Dist. Atty. Curt Livesay. “It hasn’t revealed any evidence that shows any employee aided Harvey Harper in his failure to appear (in court) or in evading justice.”

Harper, whose whereabouts remain unknown, was sentenced Wednesday in San Bernardino Superior Court to 14 years and four months in prison, which prosecutors said is the maximum term allowed under the law.

Flight Didn’t Help

“Certainly Mr. Harper didn’t help himself by fleeing,” said San Bernardino County Deputy Dist. Atty. Ken Melikian, who prosecuted the case.

In Los Angeles, Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Gilbert I. Garcetti said he thought the sentence was proper in view of Harper’s disappearance. “I would have been in favor if the court could have given him a stiffer sentence,” Garcetti added.

Harper, 50, has been missing since Jan. 28, when he vanished minutes before a jury in Ontario convicted him of five of six felonies with which he was charged. At the time of his arrest in 1984, Harper, a 20-year veteran of the district attorney’s office, headed the unit that prosecutes parents for failing to pay child support.

Last February, the Los Angeles district attorney’s office acknowledged that a handful of current and former employees were being questioned in connection with Harper’s flight, including one prosecutor who holds a deed to Harper’s Rancho Cucamonga home.

Livesay and Garcetti said Thursday the state attorney general’s office had also been asked to assist in the personnel investigation. “They have not supplied us with any information,” Garcetti said.

In San Bernardino County, a Sheriff’s Department sergeant said there were no new leads in the Harper case. “It’s highly possible he’s disguised himself and is using another name,” Sgt. Larry Stimach said.