Police Officials Sue Newport Beach Over Harassment Inquiry

Embattled Newport Beach Police Chief Arb Campbell and Capt. Anthony Villa, accused by employees of rape and sexual harassment, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Newport Beach on Thursday.

Campbell and Villa charge that the city’s weeks-long investigation has been a witch hunt in which some of the nearly 150 employees being interviewed have been threatened.

It also alleges that City Manager Kevin Murphy violated their rights as police officers by improperly removing them from duty when he placed them on paid leave last month.

“They would like in some way for the whole process to be through. . . . It’s not easy for them,” said Jeff Epstein, the attorney representing Campbell and Villa in the federal court action. “They supported a grand jury investigation and letting the chips fall where they may.”

Murphy declined to discuss the suit in detail but said: “The lawsuit lacks merit. None of the allegations are true.”

The controversy surrounding the Newport Beach Police Department erupted Sept. 24, when four women employees filed a suit in Orange County Superior Court contending that Villa sexually harassed them. They alleged that the top levels of Campbell’s department had become “a hotbed of sexually offensive conduct” where only women who “go along to get along” are promoted.

A fifth woman, who joined the lawsuit Oct. 15, contends that she was raped by both men at a department party 11 years ago at a deserted landfill.

Through another attorney, Bruce Praet, Campbell and Villa have denied the sexual harassment and rape allegations, calling them the frivolous charges of disgruntled employees who were properly disciplined or fired.

Murphy suspended Campbell and Villa hours after the fifth woman, dispatcher Peri Ropke, announced her charges at a news conference. Murphy said he was taking the actions because of the nature of the accusations and was not passing judgment on the allegations.

The city had launched an investigation into the charges of sexual harassment after the Sept. 24 lawsuit was filed.

The city investigation has involved interviews with all women employees and many supervisors, Murphy said. It is expected to be finished by next week.

City Council members did not comment on the federal lawsuit but have expressed confidence in the city manager and the investigation he launched after hiring lawyers from a Los Angeles firm specializing in municipal cases.

The latest lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. It seeks an unspecified amount in damages and legal costs and other relief.

The lawsuit alleges violations of the state law called the Officers Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right of due process and equal protection under the law. The Officers Bill of Rights establishes legal protections for police officers.

Campbell and Villa’s lawyer was hired about a 1 1/2 weeks ago by the legal defense fund for the California Peace Officers Assn.