Panel to Probe Sex Harassment Complaint Against Hernandez

The Los Angeles City Council has activated a dormant panel charged with reviewing sexual harassment and discrimination complaints against elected officials and department heads, and it will convene to investigate an allegation against City Councilman Mike Hernandez, sources said Thursday.

A sexual harassment complaint against Hernandez has been made by a former employee in his office, sources said.

Hernandez, who has battled drug and alcohol addiction since he was arrested last summer on a felony cocaine charge, did not return calls seeking comment.

The City Council established the so-called Special Committee on Investigative Oversight nearly two years ago after sexual harassment charges were made against Councilman Nate Holden.

The council Wednesday activated the panel by approving a list of potential members, a stipend for them and authorized the personnel department to pick the panel, which is empowered to use outside individuals and firms to conduct investigations on its behalf.

Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg, who heads the council’s personnel committee and who initiated the investigative panel two years ago, introduced the motion to activate it Wednesday, when it passed 13 to 0. On Thursday, Goldberg said she was not told whether a specific allegation had been made.

The city personnel department “told me they wanted to do it. . . . I didn’t ask for a reason because it’s nobody’s business. . . . It should be confidential.”

Sources said the panel will be convened shortly to work out procedures as well as to review the allegation.

Under the law establishing the panel, approved by the council in July 1996, the committee will consist of two former judges--a man and woman--and two law school professors--also of both sexes--and one member of the American Arbitration Assn.

The panel will review allegations against council members and city department general managers and will decide whether any charges require investigation. If so, an outside firm would be hired.

The independent investigator would have the power to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and testimony, administer oaths, take evidence and subpoena documents, records or other relevant materials.

The council agreed to pay a $450-a-day stipend to panel members.

The list of potential panelists includes former Judges Raymond Cardenas, Stephen E. Haberfeld, James Kolts, Jack Newman, Sara Kleban Radin and Dana Senit Henry.

Law school professors approved for consideration are Catherine Fisk, Christine Littleton, Haberfeld, Kolts and Philip Borowsky. The American Arbitration Assn. member would be Christine Masters, Haberfeld or Borowsky.

Personnel department officials refused to say when the panel will be convened, except to say that its meetings--while typically closed to the public--will be posted.