Former Aide’s Suit Charges Racial Bias

Hector Godinez, former executive assistant to the city administrator, has filed a federal suit seeking back pay and reinstatement on grounds that he was illegally fired after accusing a former councilman of racial slurs.

Godinez, 41, a Latino, charged in the civil rights suit against the city that former Councilman C. L. (Clay) Bryant called him a wetback in three conversations with city staff members in 1989. Then, after he filed a complaint about the racial slurs with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Godinez said, he lost his job.

Bryant, who was recalled from office last year, could not be reached for comment on the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

Two years ago, when Godinez first accused Bryant of racial slurs, the councilman said the allegations were “absolutely groundless.”

City Atty. Arnold M. Glasman said Tuesday that he could not comment on the lawsuit because he had not yet received a copy. But he said city officials had reviewed earlier complaints from Godinez and had rejected his requests for reinstatement and back pay.

Godinez became an executive assistant to then-City Administrator A. J. Wilson on Jan. 23, 1989, but lost the $52,000-a-year job within nine months.

Even before he began working for Pomona, Godinez said in the lawsuit, he was in trouble with Bryant.

First, the suit says, Bryant told him that he should not accept the job because Wilson was going to be fired. Then Bryant greeted Godinez’s introduction at a City Council meeting by saying that Godinez was more of Wilson’s “deadwood.”

The council fired Wilson on May 1, 1989, and later eliminated three administrative positions, including Godinez’s, from the budget.

Godinez filed his complaint about racial slurs with the EEOC on June 14, 1989. After losing his job three months later, he filed another complaint alleging that his dismissal constituted discrimination.

The commission found that Godinez lost his job because of budget cutbacks, not discrimination, but it also concluded that he was the victim of racial slurs.

Godinez said the commission’s attempts to mediate his complaint with the city failed, leaving him free to sue in federal court.

The suit asks for back pay, reinstatement and compensation for mental anguish and emotional distress.

Godinez worked as a teacher in Santa Ana last year but said he was not rehired this year because of budget reductions.

During the recall campaign against Bryant last year, Councilman Tomas Ursua, who is Latino, accused Bryant of calling him a “no-good Chicano gang member.” He also accused Bryant of calling City Administrator Julio Fuentes “a beaner.”

Ursua, once Bryant’s political ally, cited the allegedly racist remarks as one of his reasons for backing the recall. Bryant conceded that he made the remarks but denied any racist intent.