Alarcon Reassigns Aide After Constituents’ Complaints : City Council: Leo Briones is transferred from Valley liaison to mail operation. The decision follows reports of verbal abuse by his deputy.

In the first shake-up of his staff since taking office, City Councilman Richard Alarcon has transferred one of his deputies after allegations that the aide verbally abused constituents.

Alarcon said Tuesday that the move of longtime aide Leo Briones to the constituent mail operation from his duties as a community liaison in North Hills and Panorama City was not a demotion, but a reassignment.

The councilman said he wanted Briones to run an upcoming constituent newsletter to take advantage of Briones’ journalism skills. Briones served as Alarcon’s press secretary during the councilman’s campaign this past spring and worked at KCBS-TV.

However, Alarcon conceded that he was prompted to make the move after “a number of concerns from the community that were raised about Leo.”

“I felt there was a need to take action,” Alarcon said of the complaints. “I think the fact that I took action in short order is indicative of my recognition of the potential for harm.”

The transfer comes after Alarcon was told about several incidents involving Briones.

In December, Blythe Street activist Rae Sheffield said she tried to reach Briones for help with a shuttle bus that did not show up to provide rides to Fulton Junior High School for Blythe Street students. Briones, who had helped to acquire the shuttle, was out of the office, so Sheffield spoke to another deputy.

A few days later, Sheffield said, Briones called and cursed Sheffield for “going over his head” to Alarcon and “making him look bad.”

Sheffield called Alarcon to complain about the profanities. A meeting was set up in late December, where Alarcon asked Sheffield to confront Briones.

“He did not admit (using profanity) nor did he deny it,” Alarcon said of Briones’ response. “Instead, he apologized for any disrespect he might have shown.”

Sources said Alarcon also was told about other incidents, one of which involved a person who was the target of profanities from Briones. Alarcon was told that Briones was rude and hostile.

On Tuesday, Alarcon acknowledged receiving the complaint. Briones could not be reached for comment.

Alarcon said he will have deputies Marcos Castaneda and Carlos Penilla temporarily fill Briones’ former field position until a replacement is found.

The decision to transfer Briones was met with mixed reaction in the community.

“I’m very relieved,” Sheffield said. “I felt that Leo was a bad reflection on Richard’s office. And Richard really cares.”

“I think it took a lot of guts to do what Richard did,” said another person who had earlier reported being mistreated by Briones.

Some constituents said it will be hard to fill Briones’ shoes.

“He’s going to be sorely missed,” said Harry Coleman, who coordinates the North Hills Task Force and worked with Briones on the North Hills Community Impact Team.

“I never had a problem with Leo,” said Tony Swan, president of the North Hills Community Coordinating Council. “He’s been very responsive to the needs of the community.”