NEWPORT BEACH : Ex-Police Captain’s Hearing Is Planned

The Civil Service Commission this week scheduled a hearing for former Police Capt. Anthony Villa, who is appealing his dismissal by the city after 10 female employees of the Police Department last fall accused him of sexual harassment.

The hearing, which will begin June 22 and may continue into August, is expected to include testimony from scores of witnesses recalling incidents that allegedly occurred as far back as 1981.

Villa, who was fired March 8, will have an opportunity to call witnesses to challenge the city’s version of events. The city’s case will be presented by City Atty. Robert Burnham.

The Civil Service Commission, which is made up of five Newport Beach residents, has the power to reinstate Villa.

Before the start of the process, Villa and his attorney must decide whether the hearings will be open to the public. Attorney Jeffrey Epstein told commissioners during a meeting Monday that he will probably announce a decision at the next regular commission meeting on May 3.

In the termination notice, the city said Villa, 49, a resident of Huntington Beach and a veteran of 29 years on the Newport Beach police force, sexually harassed employees, provided inconsistent orders and negative discipline, inappropriately scheduled officers, failed to respect employees and behaved in a manner unbecoming of an officer.

City Manager Kevin J. Murphy fired Villa after receiving the captain’s 22-page denial of the charges.

Also appearing before the commission Monday was former Police Chief Arb Campbell.

Campbell, who was fired Dec. 22 for allegedly sexually harassing female employees and tolerating harassment within the department, is seeking to have his appeal hearing held concurrently with Villa’s.

Murphy said Campbell does not have the right to appeal his case before the Civil Service Commission because, as police chief, he was not a civil service employee.

However, Murphy said attorneys for Campbell and the city are trying to work out an agreement under which the commission will hear Campbell’s appeal. If the attorneys cannot resolve that issue, Campbell’s alternative may be to file suit in Superior Court, Murphy said.