NEWPORT BEACH : New Probe Asked in Sex Harassment Case

At a forum Tuesday that otherwise dealt with few controversies, City Council candidate Richard Banks called for a new, independent investigation into alleged sexual harassment at the Police Department.

While the other four candidates for two contested seats in the Nov. 3 election supported City Manager Kevin Murphy’s decision to let a city-hired attorney continue his probe, Banks said he was worried that the internal investigation could be biased.

Banks is a 56-year-old businessman running against Planning Commissioner Jan Debay for the 2nd District seat. Debay has been endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Banks said he supported the National Organization for Women’s plea for an outside investigation, perhaps by the Orange County Grand Jury, into the charges spelled out in a lawsuit filed Sept. 24 against the city, Police Chief Arb Campbell and Capt. Anthony Villa.

“There are serious concerns about getting a credible and believable investigation,” Banks said at a morning meeting of about 30 members of the Women’s Civic League at the Mariner’s Branch Library. “Whether you believe them or you don’t believe the accusers, you’ve got to have a credible investigation.

“I have no reason to believe that Kevin Murphy is not being objective in this situation,” Banks added. “But I’m concerned about the perception of the public.”

Murphy placed Campbell and Villa on paid administrative leave last Wednesday after police dispatcher Peri Ropke joined the lawsuit and alleged that the two men had raped her during a police party in 1981. The other four women in the lawsuit claim that Villa sexually harassed them on and off the job and that his close friend Campbell condoned it.

Asked whether they agreed with Banks that an outside investigation was appropriate, the other candidates said they trusted Murphy and thought the City Council should not get involved in the matter until absolutely necessary.

Debay said that the situation “has to be handled very carefully.”

“It’s a tough issue--we should deal with it quickly,” agreed Diane Coltrane, a real estate broker who running against Councilwoman Jean H. Watt and management consultant Robert Lewis for the 5th District seat. “Find out where the fault lies and let the chips fall where they may.”

Lewis said he worried that any council action would “undercut” the city manager and warned that it is “unrealistic to expect that everyone will be happy in the end.”

During the rest of the hourlong forum, the candidates repeated their promises to trim the fat from the city’s $90-million budget and to initiate user fees on various visitor services to spread the tax burden.

The candidates will face off twice more, on Tuesday cruising around the bay on yachts, and on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers for a debate.