Interim Director Assigned to Recorder’s Office : Investigation: A former head of county employee relations is named to oversee the beleaguered agency while its elected chief, Lee A. Branch, is on leave.

County officials on Tuesday assigned a temporary director to oversee the beleaguered Orange County recorder’s office whose elected officer--Lee A. Branch--is the subject of an Affirmative Action investigation.

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Effective today, Robert A. Griffith, deputy director of the County Social Services Agency and former chief of employee relations for the county, will attempt to restore flagging employee morale and assess the office’s overall efficiency, County Administrative Officer Ernie Schneider wrote in a memo to county officials.

Schneider said that Griffith would not involve himself in the ongoing probe of sexual harassment and physical abuse allegations but would “help identify a positive, constructive course of action.”

The appointment comes nearly two weeks after Branch was placed on a 30-day paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation by the county’s Affirmative Action Office. Among the allegations made by employees are that Branch favored office middle manager Nancy L. Smith, with whom he acknowledges a personal relationship; made lewd comments to a female employee and physically abused another.

Investigators have also been reviewing an incident in which Branch allegedly delayed consideration of complaint against Smith, who was accused of grabbing an employee and strongly scolding her.

On Tuesday, Smith flatly denied the allegations, saying that she has never yelled at or physically abused an employee. She is on an indefinite paid leave of her duties.

Branch declined to comment Tuesday, but has previously denied any wrongdoing and said the allegations against him are politically motivated. Complaints about Branch and Smith have reportedly caused serious morale problems in the office where about 100 employees receive and file documents mostly related to real estate transactions.

County officials hope that naming a new interim director will improve the work environment.

“I think our expectation is for (Griffith) to suggest a future course of action,” County Personnel Director Russ Patton said. “I don’t think morale and productivity is what it ought to be.”

Although part of Griffith’s task will include an evaluation of office efficiency and productivity, Patton said the appointment does not suggest that the investigation is taking a broader course into office operations.

“The last thing the recorder’s office needs is another investigation,” Patton said.

The personnel director did say that Griffith would suggest ways in which the recorder’s office could reduce a filing backlog that has caused employees to regularly work overtime and some weekends just to catch up.

Griffith’s assignment was part of a mutual agreement between top county administrators and Assistant Recorder Ella M. Murphy, who has been heading the department in Branch’s absence, officials said.

Murphy said Branch’s leave and resulting media accounts of the investigation have been a “distraction” for some employees in the office, but have not caused major disruptions.

“In a broad sense,” Patton said, “this is about addressing reports of a hostile work environment with an emphasis on placing and providing a point of support there.”

Patton declined to discuss details of the investigation, but said that investigators were expected to interview more than 15 people about the recorder’s office.

“The thing is taking longer than anticipated because of the number of people who have come forward,” he said, adding that investigators wanted to complete interviews with employees before questioning Branch and Smith.

Branch is expected to return to office Nov. 29, and Patton said no part of the investigation is expected to delay the recorder’s scheduled return.

Griffith, 48, started his career in county government in 1969 with the Personnel Department and has worked in various county agencies before assuming his present duties with the Social Services Agency in 1986.

“As the former chief of employee relations, (Griffith) has handled grievance matters and employee negotiations,” Patton said. “He has a respect for the process.”