Cunliffe’s Lawyer Says Probes Are ‘Witch Hunt’

The lawyer for Sylvia Cunliffe, who is the target of administrative and criminal investigations into her conduct as chief of Los Angeles’ General Services Department, claimed Wednesday that his client is the victim of “an unrelenting witch hunt.”

Attorney Godfrey Isaac, in a bitter attack against Cunliffe’s critics, said that allegations against her of mismanagement, favoritism and the misuse of confidential personnel information are based on “unfair and unfounded charges.” He promised to wage a fierce legal battle to clear her name.

In a written statement released to reporters, Isaac decried “the current environment in which she has been unfairly attacked” and said Cunliffe has become “the subject of an unrelenting witch hunt.”

Political Motives Blamed

Later, in a telephone interview, Isaac told The Times that the various Cunliffe probes--by the Los Angeles Police Department, the district attorney, the city administrative officer and a special three-member panel appointed by Mayor Tom Bradley--were encouraged by her political and bureaucratic enemies.

“It seems to me that it’s we’re-out-to-get-Sylvia time,” Isaac said.

Cunliffe for the most part has refused to comment about her troubles since Bradley placed her on paid administrative leave June 25. But Isaac said he decided to speak out on her behalf after the mayor announced Monday that he was asking the City Council to cancel this year’s Street Scene festival, an annual event that has been largely organized and run by Cunliffe.

Wants Study Done

Citing difficulties raising money for the festival and Cunliffe’s own problems, Bradley recommended postponing the two-day event until next year and naming a citizen committee to evaluate its future.

Isaac said that Cunliffe regretted the mayor’s decision, although she had no harsh words for Bradley, who appointed her to head the General Services Department. Isaac, however, said that some opponents of Street Scene have also been the “instigators” against his client.

Isaac specifically referred to City Administrative Officer Keith Comrie and Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, both of whom have questioned the costs associated with Street Scene and Cunliffe’s record as head of the General Services Department.

“In essence, I think the prosecutorial agencies have been taking the word of the CAO, and I think the CAO is out to get Sylvia Cunliffe,” Isaac said.

Different Viewpoint

Comrie disputed Isaac’s contention.

“The only thing we’ve done relating to General Services are routine management audits which is part of our (City) Charter responsibilities and follow-ups on allegations of improprieties which have come from hot line calls, her employees and the media,” Comrie said.

“We have no choice but to follow them up and report to the mayor and appropriate authorities,” he said.

Comrie refused to comment on a CAO report to the investigative panel that concludes that there is an “appearance of favoritism” by Cunliffe in renting a city-owned house in Pacific Palisades at a cut rate to a Street Scene employee. The CAO is also looking at questions regarding the rental or leasing of other city-owned property.

Political Moves Charged

Isaac also accused Yaroslavsky, the chairman of the council’s Finance and Revenue Committee and a likely mayoral challenger to Bradley in 1989, of denouncing Cunliffe and attacking Street Scene for political gain.

“I think in Councilman Yaroslavsky’s attack, he has more of an eye for the mayor’s job than on Cunliffe. And I think politics perverts justice,” Isaac said.

Yaroslavsky said Isaac was mistaken.

“I’m not a Street Scene opponent, I’ve merely been critical of the way it’s been run,” he said. “I did not believe that the general manager of General Services ought to run Sreet Scene, and I questioned how much city funds were being diverted to Street Scene.”

In his letter to the council, Bradley said that at least $230,000 in public and private funds would be needed to finance Street Scene this year.