Two Women Settle Suits on Harassment
Two of 10 women who filed sexual harassment lawsuits against Newport Beach, its former police chief and a former police officer have settled their cases out of court, city officials announced Friday.
Peri Ropke, a former dispatcher who accused former Chief Arb Campbell and Capt. Anthony Villa of raping her after a police party in 1981, will receive $113,000. Ropke, who worked at the department for 12 years but has been on disability leave since she filed suit in October, 1992, has agreed to resign.
Gloria Miller, Villa’s former secretary who joined the department in 1990, will receive $62,500 and will remain at work.
City officials, plaintiffs and defendants have agreed not to comment on any aspect of the claims. But according to the official statement released by City Manager Kevin J. Murphy, the three defendants--Campbell, Villa and Sgt. Trent Harris--do not admit liability, but have settled with the two plaintiffs because of the anticipated costs of legal defense.
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