ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Complaint City

Newport Beach was hit with a political tsunami earlier this year when the director of its Utilities Department, Richard J. Dixon, was accused of embezzling $1.82 million from the city’s treasury. Now another tidal wave is brewing amid accusations of sexual harassment in a lawsuit filed last week by four female current or former members of the city’s Police Department. The city must resolve this issue as quickly as possible, and make sure the women plaintiffs are protected from retaliation in the meantime.

Records supervisor Mary Jane Ruetz, communications supervisor Margaret McInnis and Police Officers Rochell Maier and Cheryl Vlacilek charged in the Orange County Superior Court lawsuit that they were sexually harassed by Capt. Anthony Villa and that Police Chief Arb Campbell did not stop it. The women seek in excess of $200,000 each in damages. City administrators deny the charges.

The lawsuit could not have come at a worse time for the city, which is struggling with deep cuts as a result of the state budget crisis. The Dixon controversy subsided after he was sent to prison for embezzlement, but the incident makes the current cutbacks even more excruciating.

It could only worsen things if the women involved in the harassment lawsuit were intimidated while their litigation is pending. City Manager Kevin J. Murphy took a good first step by immediately reminding all employees of the city’s anti-discrimination policy. He now must ensure that the women are fairly and impartially treated until their complaint is resolved.