Sexual Harassment Suit Filed Against Police

Four women filed a lawsuit against the Police Department on Thursday, charging that the police command structure is “a hotbed of sexually offensive conduct.”

The Orange County Superior Court lawsuit charges that the four current or former female employees of the Police Department were sexually harassed on and off the job by Capt. Anthony Villa, and that Police Chief Arb Campbell “condoned” the behavior.

Villa touched breasts, made sexual overtures and suggestive remarks that included graphic descriptions “of a pornographic movie he had seen,” the lawsuit alleges.

All four women contend that they were told to socialize off-duty at bars with male officers, especially commanding officers, and “to wear short skirts” to show off their legs and other clothing deemed “desirable” by the men.

The suit, charging sexual discrimination, was brought by records supervisor Mary Jane Ruetz, 43, communications supervisor Margaret McInnis, 39, and police officers Rochell Maier, 31, and Cheryl Vlacilek, 28. They are seeking more than $200,000 each in damages.

Ruetz and Vlacilek contend they were fired on trumped up charges, unrelated to sexual harassment, after spurning Villa’s advances and formally complaining to superiors of sexual harassment. The city’s Civil Service Commission reinstated both. Maier who was also fired, will seek her job back at an Oct. 5 hearing.

“What a nasty business,” said Fire Chief Timothy Riley. “If it’s true, it’s unfortunate for the victims. If not, it’s unfortunate for Campbell and Villa.”

The lawsuit states that “some female employees who are intimately involved with high-ranking officers receive favored treatment in contrast to other female employees who refuse to ‘go along to get along.’ ”

Several female employees have left the Newport Beach Police Department because of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and an “extraordinarily sexually hostile and offensive environment,” the suit states.

Aside from issuing denials of the allegations, top-ranking officers of the Newport Beach Police Department have declined to comment on the lawsuit. But City Council members said the case is the first time serious sexual harassment charges have been leveled against members of the Police Department.