Top Sheriff’s Official Is Accused of Harassment

SANTA ANA — One of the highest ranking officials at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is under investigation following sexual harassment allegations made by a female lieutenant, officials said Thursday.

Assistant Sheriff Dennis LaDucer, who oversees all patrol operations and investigations for the county’s largest law enforcement agency, has been put on administrative leave with pay while investigators look into the claims.

The complaint, filed by Lt. Wendy Costello, accuses the 52-year-old LaDucer of touching her inappropriately and making sexually suggestive comments in the workplace, sources said.

LaDucer declined to comment Thursday, referring all calls to Lt. Ron Wilkerson, the department spokesman.

Costello’s attorney, Patrick Thistle, said his client is on medical leave from the agency’s community project department, which handles education and crime prevention programs.

Thistle said the allegations involving LaDucer are numerous and cover a long period of time.

“Let me count the ways,” he said of LaDucer’s alleged misconduct. “Everything from words to touching. He’s touched a lot of body parts over a course of years and of more than one female employee.”

Sheriff Brad Gates, in a written statement, said he would not comment directly on the charges facing LaDucer, one of four assistant sheriffs near the top of the department’s hierarchy.

“Since the investigation is ongoing, law prohibits me from discussing any of the details surrounding the allegations,” Gates wrote. “I will not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace.”

But Thistle said that his client’s experience was far from unique and that her experience, as well as that of other female employees of the department, indicates that such behavior has long been tolerated.

“I’d have to say this is a long-standing problem in the sheriff’s office and is well-known to management,” Thistle said. “Females in the past have made complaints, but they do not find a friendly atmosphere and are afraid of management.”

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Costello claims to have been both a victim of and a witness to LaDucer’s alleged misconduct, but her frustrations “came to a head when he started touching a female in [Costello’s] presence and it caused a confrontation,” Thistle said.

Fearful of retribution, Costello immediately filed a report with the county counsel’s office, Thistle said. The attorney said Costello’s experiences are emblematic of the agency’s “glass ceiling” and treatment of women.

Thistle said he also represents two other women--a sheriff’s deputy and a non-sworn department employee--who plan to file similar harassment complaints about LaDucer with the state office of Fair Employment and Housing.

Gates said that LaDucer’s being placed on administrative leave should not be viewed as an indication of guilt.

“I urge everyone to keep in mind that while these allegations are indeed very serious, each party is entitled to be fairly heard, and we should respect the rights of all concerned . . . withholding judgment until all the facts are determined,” Gates wrote.

A department source said LaDucer, a San Clemente resident, has been touted recently as a strong candidate for the post of police chief with several smaller departments. The law enforcement veteran, who is married to a psychologist, may instead opt for retirement if the harassment investigation is prolonged or damaging to his reputation, the source speculated Thursday.

Wilkerson, the department spokesman, said the investigation of LaDucer will be conducted by the department’s professional standards unit, which will report its findings to Gates. Thistle criticized the agency for opting for an internal investigation.

John Brimmage, president of the Assn. of Orange County Deputies, said his organization has never been contacted by any female deputy with a complaint about LaDucer.

“There’s been none to my knowledge,” Brimmage said. He added that the rank and file have received the news of LaDucer’s leave with quiet uncertainty.

“Everyone’s standing back waiting to see what’s going to be happening,” he said. “It’s all up in the air.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.