Sex Harassment Claim Filed Against Pasadena Official

A top official in Pasadena’s Department of Water and Power is on paid leave pending an investigation into a claim by a secretary that over several years he subjected her to repeated sexual harassment, city officials said Wednesday.

In a claim for damages filed against the city, a 54-year-old legal secretary alleges that Henry Lee, assistant general manager of operations, “relentlessly sexually harassed” her for eight years, subjecting her to sexual remarks, touching and retaliation when she objected.

Kathleen Thompson also alleges in the claim denied by the city last month that her supervisor, an assistant city attorney, ignored the conduct by his colleague at the Water and Power Department.

The harassment culminated in March when Lee called her into his office, grabbed her leg, asked for sex and when she refused grabbed her breast, according to the claim.

The case is the latest in a series of allegations by female employees related to sex discrimination, harassment and misconduct at Pasadena City Hall.

In June, the city’s Commission on the Status of Women in a letter to the city manager expressed “its deep concern regarding the growing number of allegations by city employees related to sex discrimination, harassment, misconduct and retaliation by city management and officials.”

Thompson, who referred questions to her attorney, is in therapy after suffering emotional distress as a result of the harassment, according to the claim filed July 1. Lee could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, Lee has been on paid administrative leave since June pending the outcome of the investigation into his conduct, said Assistant City Atty. Lawrence Newberry. The investigation is expected to be completed soon, Newberry said.

An earlier investigation was conducted by the city’s Department of Affirmative Action and Diversity. After Thompson filed a complaint with the department April 16, officials investigated the claims and recommended Lee’s suspension without pay and demotion, according to the claim. Newberry said he cannot discuss any disciplinary action against Lee.

The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, also names Rufus Hightower, general manager of the Department of Water, and Assistant City Atty. Scott Rasmussen, who acts as the department’s lawyer. Thompson works for Rasmussen.

Rasmussen and Hightower did not return calls Wednesday.

Pegine Grayson, Thompson’s attorney, said she expects to file a lawsuit in a few weeks. Thompson also has filed complaints against the city with the state Department of Fair Housing and Employment, Grayson said.

The city already faces a lawsuit by a secretary who claims that Rose Bowl general manager David Jacobs sexually harassed her. Also, four female city attorneys are suing, alleging discrimination.