Cunliffe Suspended During Query

Sylvia Cunliffe, the head of Los Angeles’ General Services Department, has been placed on 45-day paid leave by Mayor Tom Bradley, who fears that her effectiveness in running the city’s fourth largest agency has been impaired by a “rash of allegations” against her conduct on the job.

Bradley took Cunliffe off the job while investigators look into charges of mismanagement, favoritism and misuse of confidential personnel information to discredit a whistle-blower.

“The recent rash of allegations regarding your conduct has created an atmosphere which makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for you to manage the Department of General Services,” Bradley said in a June 25 letter to Cunliffe.

The letter, copies of which were obtained by reporters, went on to add that it is vital for city officials to examine the charges against Cunliffe, a Bradley appointee to the $90,243-a-year position, and “clear the air as quickly as possible.”

Bradley’s letter said his action does not suggest that she is guilty of any wrongdoing, nor does it indicate that she is incapable of managing her department.

Bradley is in the Middle East; Deputy Mayor Mike Gage said Wednesday that the mayor acted only in the interests of keeping the department running smoothly, adding that Cunliffe has been understandably distracted by the “barrage of allegations.”

“He is in no way, shape or form casting judgment in doing this,” Gage said. “He wants to allow the investigation to proceed as expeditiously as possible so he can have full information to act in whatever manner is appropriate.”

Gage also denied reports that the mayor or his aides had acted to prevent Cunliffe from interfering with the investigation.

Cunliffe, who has headed the General Services agency since it was created in 1979, could not be reached for comment.

The department, which has a $127-million budget, handles the city housekeeping chores and oversees city buildings, vehicles, security and purchasing.

Among the recent complaints against Cunliffe are allegations that she ignored better rental offers on city-owned property in favor of friends and relatives, including one case involving the rental of a Pacific Palisades house owned by the city.

In 1985, the home was rented to Milt Petty, an employee of Street Scene music festival, which is organized and run by Cunliffe for the city. Cunliffe allegedly approved renting the house to Petty for $1,600 a month despite better offers.

Cunliffe also has been the target of allegations that family members who have worked in her department have unduly benefitted during her tenure as general manager.

Cunliffe has denied charges that she engaged in favoritism--either for family members or for employees.

Another complaint against Cunliffe stemmed from her effort to discredit an employee who drew attention to problems in her agency. She sent a memo to City Council members describing him as a “known gambler” with a criminal record and drinking problems. The employee, Robert O’Neill, 45, denied he is a gambler and said his problems with the law and with alcohol took place more than 20 years ago, when he lived in Connecticut.

The resulting uproar prompted Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, a potential Bradley rival in 1989, to call for Cunliffe’s suspension and firing for possibly violating laws designed to protect government whistle-blowers.

Bradley refused to suspend Cunliffe, but he named a special three-member committee last week to look into allegations against her. Bradley’s inquiries led to criminal investigations by the police and district attorney’s office.

In his recent letter, Bradley also told Cunliffe that she should discontinue her “day-to-day job responsibilities in the presently turbulent and emotionally charged atmosphere within the department.”

John Cotti, an assistant general manager in the department, said Wednesday that he received formal notification Monday from the mayor’s office that he would run the agency in Cunliffe’s absence.