Meanwhile, in Brea, a Lid Is Slowly Lifted on Curious Case

Is it the incipient summer heat, when there’s always a need for an intriguing diversion, or is a juicy story shaping up at Brea City Hall?

It’s only early July, so it’s too early to tell.

But I can turn a few pages for you. . . .

As these tales often do, this one began in a rather innocuous way. But sometimes the main story line isn’t always the obvious one.

Here’s the plot line so far:

Gregg Lewis, a captain/paramedic with an unblemished 18-year record in the Brea Fire Department, was demoted in 1997 for allegedly lying to and disobeying orders from a superior. Not big news, but now, two years later, Lewis has been reinstated with full back pay, and with a court order that all paperwork related to the disciplinary action be expunged from his record.

That reflects the ruling of both an independent arbitrator and an Orange County Superior Court judge that the city had no case against Lewis. The arbitrator’s ruling came last October, but City Manager Frank Benest rejected the nonbinding decision, which kept the demotion in place. Last week, however, Judge William McDonald ruled that the city abused its discretion in not accepting the decision.

Lewis’ exoneration led rookie City Councilman Steve Vargas to lob a couple of grenades into Benest’s otherwise well-fortified sanctuary. Vargas is angry that an attorney for the city told Lewis’ attorney last week that the city would forgo any appeal if Lewis wouldn’t ask the city for legal fees.

Given all that Lewis has gone through, Vargas says, the city’s offer amounted to “extortion.” In addition, Vargas says, such a condition should have been routed through the council. Vargas also suggests Benest was less than forthright with him earlier this week about the case.

Enter the firefighters union. It hints that there may be more to the Lewis case than a proposed disciplinary action.

Just what that is, they won’t say, but union President Bob Verburg says the city’s dogged pursuit of Lewis offers plenty of intrigue.

“They lost 100% for a disciplinary action, which was the most severe action taken against an employee in the 15 years I’ve been employed in Brea, and for what we call a first offense,” Verburg, a fire captain, says. “You’re talking about a guy [Lewis] with an impeccable employment record. Suddenly, he becomes dishonest and untrustworthy. . . . “

In other words, Verburg says, why such a relentless pursuit of a case so roundly dismissed by outside observers?

Benest was unavailable Thursday, but Assistant City Manager Tim O’Donnell yawns and says Vargas and the union are reading much too much into the story.

The disciplinary action against Lewis (he was demoted from captain to engine driver) had no hidden agenda, O’Donnell says. “Without boring you with the incredibly detailed facts, I think it’s safe to say the facts of this case can be interpreted in different ways,” he says.

Benest’s decision to press the case merely represented an “honest disagreement” with others over Lewis’ actions, O’Donnell says.

As for Vargas’ complaints about the city “extorting” Lewis before accepting the judge’s terms, O’Donnell says that offer was taken off the table fairly quickly. He concedes that a big reason for that was that Lewis refused to accept the condition.

In the end, O’Donnell says, the system worked. Lewis had the right to appeal, did so, and won. “We accept that . . . and the slate is clean,” O’Donnell says.

That’s a safe, boring ending--one no doubt favored by the city manager’s office.

Ah, says Verburg. Not so fast.

He hints a wrinkle or two may emerge that take the story in a whole new direction. Keep reading, he says in so many words, and ask why a case deemed such a loser in court was played to the hilt by city officials.

“This is like one of those stay-tuned things,” he says of Lewis’ case. “Other issues may break apart and come out on their own, and everybody will get a clear picture of the undercurrent.”

By the last page, he says, the story may change “from something simple to something extremely complex.”

Stay tuned?

Why not?

After all, the temperature is rising and a long summer beckons.

Dana Parsons’ column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Readers may reach Parsons by calling (714) 966-7821 or by writing to him at the Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, or by e-mail to dana.parsons@latimes.com.