Picus Reportedly Holds Private Talks to Settle Dispute Over Croton

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus held behind-the-scenes talks Tuesday to settle the dispute of whether to fire city Cultural Affairs Department General Manager Fred Croton, City Hall sources said.

Because of the sensitive discussions involving Picus, Croton and Croton’s attorney, Richard Grey, the City Council put off until today its debate over whether to fire the controversial department head.

Mayor Tom Bradley has accused Croton, 53, of lying about his job history when he applied for his position in 1980. Bradley’s charges have been upheld twice recently--first last week by a Civil Service Commission hearing examiner and again on Monday by the commission itself.

Under an ambiguously worded City Charter section, the council has to act by Saturday on Bradley’s recommendation to fire Croton or the general manager presumably could return to his office. Since the council probably would not meet over the holiday weekend, it is expected to act today.

Bradley placed Croton on a paid leave of absence from his $58,756 a year job on Oct. 29.

Picus Denial

Picus, confronted late Tuesday afternoon by reporters, denied the existence of any settlement discussions.

“I don’t believe there is much opportunity to work anything out,” Picus said. “That’s (a settlement) not in my mind.”

Picus said the postponement--which she sought--was necessary because the council already had spent several hours in session. She said, “My intention is to get Fred a fair hearing.”

But several sources close to the issue said that Picus, who has been viewed as one of Croton’s only supporters on the council, began the discussions Tuesday morning with Croton and his lawyer in her office in an effort to avert a political battle.

Croton has charged that his proposed firing is politically motivated; that Bradley is out to get him because he alienated some of the mayor’s supporters with what Croton has admitted is an abrasive style. Some council members have signaled their skepticism about Bradley’s motives for wanting to fire Croton, saying they believe the mayor would not have taken such drastic action simply because Croton exaggerated his job history.

The private talks particularly angered sources in Bradley’s Administration. One high-ranking official said the mayor “will never go for (a settlement).”

Another source close to the case said that unlike embattled General Services Department head Sylvia Cunliffe, Croton has no chips with which to bargain. Cunliffe’s attorneys are attempting to negotiate a buyout agreement with the city.

“Negotiations require give and take and he has nothing to give,” the source said. Having served just seven years with the city, Croton has accumulated little pension seniority compared to the full pension that Cunliffe, a 30-year employee, could claim next March on her 55th birthday, the source said.

Time Issue

Croton, however, does have time on his side. If the council fails today to act on Bradley’s recommendation, Croton could argue that under the Charter he is entitled to return to his job.

Assistant City Atty. Les Brown said it was unclear what would happen if the council failed to act by the Charter-imposed deadline. Among the possibilities that have been discussed is a second move by Bradley against Croton; an agreement by both sides to postpone the council’s decision or simply to allow Croton to return to his office.

Bradley aides, who conducted a lengthy probe into the charges against Croton, said that the general manager will not be allowed to return to his office due to a “lack of credibility.”