D.A. Probing Sexual Harassment Complaint
The district attorney’s office is investigating an allegation by a secretary in the Pomona Fire Department that she was sexually harassed by firefighters and that city officials ignored her complaint, The Times has learned.
Irma Rodriguez, 31, has been off work since March, undergoing psychiatric treatment for emotional problems, her attorney, Felix Smith, said Wednesday. He declined to elaborate on the case. A district attorney’s spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday that the investigation began after a complaint was filed in August. Deputy Dist. Atty. Thomas Wenke, who is assigned to the case, declined to comment.
City Administrator Julio Fuentes said Thursday that the city did not ignore Rodriguez’s complaint. “We’ve handled it according to the proper procedures,” he said, adding that the city attorney, personnel director and risk manager are all looking into the matter.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
