Compton Suit Alleges Harassment by Officials

A Compton municipal employee has filed a $5-million lawsuit against the city, former Mayor Omar Bradley and two high-ranking executive officers.

The plaintiff, Margaret Laurent-Wyatt, accuses Bradley, City Clerk Charles Davis and former Public Relations Officer Frank Wheaton of “a severe, pervasive and particularly egregious pattern” of unwelcome sexual advances and other intimidating and inappropriate behavior. She accuses the city of failing “to take all reasonable steps to prevent discrimination and harassment,” as well as breach of contract.

Davis declined to comment beyond saying: “When it gets to court, if it gets that far, it will be dealt with.”

Wheaton denied any wrongdoing, calling the suit a “financial scheme.”

Milton Grimes, Bradley’s attorney, did not return repeated phone calls.

City Atty. Legrand Clegg said the city “will follow the normal process of evaluating a lawsuit” before making any determination about how to respond.

Laurent-Wyatt has worked for Compton since 1984 and reported to Bradley and Wheaton, according to her attorney, Mozell Toney Smith. At the time of the alleged incidents, Davis, the longest-serving member of the city government, and Bradley were two of Compton’s highest-ranking executive officers.

The earliest incident mentioned in the 27-page complaint allegedly occurred in February 2000, when Laurent-Wyatt says Davis offered to pay her $600 for sex.

Laurent-Wyatt’s attorney said his client suffered similar harassment over a much longer period.