Harassment Finding Against Her ‘Invented,’ Official Says

A six-week investigation into the actions of El Segundo Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Wernick concludes that she sexually harassed colleagues and created a hostile work environment.

The results of the investigation, released Wednesday night by City Atty. Lee Dolley, did not mention who had been harassed or provide details on the allegations, but recommended that Wernick be instructed on what is acceptable conduct.

Allegations of harassment surfaced in early June when Wernick was told by City Manager James Morrison and Dolley that a sexual harassment complaint had been filed by a male colleague. Wernick, who was elected to the council in April, has maintained that she has not done anything wrong.

Wernick, who is in Monterey for a four-day conference sponsored by the League of California Cities, said she was asked to leave the council chambers during Tuesday’s meeting so that members could discuss the matter. Wernick, who is married, contends that the city has left her in the dark.

“They invented a verdict, dreamed up a sentence and announced it to the press 90 minutes before they told my attorney and after I had left town,” said Wernick in a telephone call from the conference. “They knew of my arrangements and told me absolutely nothing. They have no regard for due process.”

Wernick’s attorney, Rosa Cumare, said that she and her client are unclear about what overtures the city has deemed inappropriate.

She said they knew that economic development Director Jim Hansen had complained that he was harassed by Wernick, but the city has offered no specifics on the allegedly offending behavior and has said that there were several complaints.

Cumare said Wernick kissed Hansen on the forehead at a birthday party, but the overture was a Native American custom. Wernick is a member of the Cherokee and Cree tribes.

“We have not been told what was officially concluded,” Cumare said. “We don’t know what it is that the City Council has found and none of the city officials or the firm representing the city will communicate with us.”

Cumare said she planned to file a complaint in federal court today arguing that Wernick has been treated unfairly and asks that the city disclose all the details of its inquiry.

Morrison would not discuss the investigation. Calls to Dolley were referred to Kathryn Burke, an attorney in the San Francisco area who specializes in sexual harassment claims and is representing the city in the matter.

“All I will say is that we did do an investigation,” Burke said.