Bias Seen in Sex Harassment Probe : Lawsuit: The National Organization for Women in Newport Beach says city is mishandling investigation. It calls for an outside panel to look into abuse charges.

The local chapter of NOW says the city of Newport Beach is mishandling an investigation of alleged sexual harassment at the highest levels of its Police Department and has called for an outside commission to look into the matter.

In a prepared statement, the National Organization for Women’s Bayview chapter said: “A city-hired attorney, accompanied by denials from city officials, does not constitute an ‘investigation.’ Clearly, a full investigation--conducted by an objective commission--into the Police Department and city government is needed.”

Mayor Phil Sansone said the city, which has pledged to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation, was being hampered by its inability to question the plaintiffs. Four women employees of the Police Department have charged in a civil lawsuit that they were sexually harassed by Police Capt. Anthony Villa, and that Police Chief Arb Campbell effectively condoned Villa’s behavior.

The mayor said the city was “vigorously” attempting to pursue its investigation but ran into an obstacle when it made the first step, initiating a request to interview the four women. “There (has been) no response from the plaintiffs, the plaintiffs’ attorney.”

Lisa McClanahan, coordinator of the 200-member NOW chapter, said Thursday that City Manager Kevin J. Murphy’s public statements on the issue have effectively undermined the group’s confidence in the city’s course of action. “How can they talk about an independent investigation?” she asked.

“The problem is that Kevin Murphy has already come out with statements that are not objective,” McClanahan said. She was referring to a remark by Murphy that he did not believe the Police Department is, in the words of the lawsuit, “a hotbed of sexually offensive conduct at the top levels of the command structure.”

“In essence, he’s already saying he doesn’t believe the women are telling the truth,” and he is directing the lawyer who is conducting the investigation, she said.

“We have some very specific objections to the way it’s been handled so far,” McClanahan said, “mainly that they’re out there discrediting these women and putting them on administrative leave for disciplinary charges and these attorneys being paid by the city to defend the chief and discredit these charges.”

In a lawsuit filed on Sept. 24 in Orange County Superior Court, the four women charged that Villa sexually harassed them on and off the job with suggestive remarks, touching breasts and other parts of their body in a sexual manner.

Villa and Campbell have not commented on specific allegations in the suit, but have issued a general denial through their attorney.

On Monday night, the City Council reaffirmed its commitment to a city work environment free of discrimination or harassment. Acknowledging the lawsuit, the council vowed to press on with an investigation of the charges.

“If the results of our investigation (by an outside lawyer) find any improper activities under our policy, then our city manager will take immediate and appropriate corrective action,” the council said in a prepared statement. “If our independent review determines no wrongdoing, then we will totally commit the city’s resources to defending the recently filed lawsuit.”

The problem, however, is that the four women do not trust the Los Angeles lawyer, Harold A. Bridges, to be impartial, according to their attorney, Steven R. Pingel of Seal Beach. Pingel said Murphy had previously hired Bridges to combat sexual harassment charges, when Murphy was with the city of Alhambra.

Bridges said Thursday that he has tried to get his investigation underway but has made little progress because the four women, apparently on the advice of their attorney, have not made themselves available for interviews.

McClanahan said the city’s treatment of the plaintiffs was not evenhanded. She noted that one of the four plaintiffs, after complaining about the harassment, was placed on administrative leave while under investigation for a supposedly unrelated matter. Campbell and Villa, however, remained on the job.

She said the chapter will form a task force to monitor the investigation and intends to attend a hearing Monday night before the Civil Service review board at which one of the four women, fired Officer Rochell Maier, will seek reinstatement.

She and two others allege in the lawsuit that they were disciplined or fired after they rejected Villa’s sexual advances and harassment.

“Our task force is going to be discussing whatever action we think is appropriate after Monday night’s hearing,” McClanahan said.