Suit’s Allegations Denied by Sheriff

SANTA ANA —  Saying he would “stand on his credibility,” Sheriff Brad Gates on Wednesday defended himself and his agency against sexual harassment allegations leveled by a high-ranking female officer.

One day after a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed by Lt. Wendy Costello, Gates denied ever using sexist language in the presence of the 14-year-veteran and said he was blindsided by the allegations that have shaken his department.

“It’s disturbing and a shock,” Gates said, adding that he had worked closely with Costello and her co-workers in the last 10 months organizing community events. “No one mentioned anything to me, and [Costello] had many opportunities to speak one-on-one with the sheriff.”

Costello’s lawsuit filed Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court claims that Gates once asked her and other organizers of a charity event to bring along “bimbos” with large breasts to entice donors--a comment the suit says contributed to the department’s hostile and exploitative attitude toward women.

The target of the lawsuit is Assistant Sheriff Dennis LaDucer, who Costello accuses of harassing and groping her. LaDucer’s attorney, Bruce Praet, predicted Wednesday that his client will be completely cleared of the accusations.

LaDucer, leader of the department’s patrol operations and investigations, had always thought himself to be a strong supporter of the “up-and-coming” lieutenant, Praet said.

“He never had a clue that there was any type of problem,” Praet said. “There is zero merit to these accusations.”

Gates said he could not comment on the allegations facing LaDucer, but said he has never known his longtime associate to act inappropriately toward female colleagues.

He also said he was skeptical that the events described in the suit could pass without notice in the department. “This is a tight-knit family--it’s difficult to have secrets.”

Costello, 36, is on unpaid sick leave, according to her attorney, Pat Thistle. LaDucer, 52, is on paid administrative leave during an internal investigation of Costello’s claims, according to department spokesman Lt. Ron Wilkerson.

In other developments Wednesday, Assistant Sheriff Doug Storm, who had been heading the internal investigation into Costello’s claims, was removed from that duty after also being named in the lawsuit. Costello claims Storm was present when Gates made the “bimbos” comment.

The sheriff said he suspects the inclusion of Storm’s name in the lawsuit was “a calculated step to disrupt the process.”

Gates’ comments came just hours after he attended an Anaheim luncheon honoring outstanding Orange County law enforcement employees. Costello was one of two Sheriff’s Department employees honored, and Gates said he dropped by her table to shake her hand in congratulation.

The two did not speak at length, but afterward Gates denied that the encounter was awkward.

“She has done a tremendous job in everything I have seen her do firsthand,” he said. “We’re proud of her extraordinary work.”

The award from a society of police and private security companies honored Costello’s labors in the Sheriff’s Department community programs unit. Under the direction of LaDucer, Costello organized fund-raising events to support anti-drug efforts.

It was while organizing a 1996 golf tournament that Costello heard Gates use offensive language to describe volunteers who were to be invited to the event, the suit contends.

“That’s the part that really hurts me personally,” Gates said. “It’s absolutely not true. I assure the people of this community and this department: It’s not true. I stand on my credibility.”

Costello’s attorney shrugged off Gates’ denial.

“What else is he going to say?” Thistle said. “I wouldn’t expect him to admit it.”

In her lawsuit, Costello claimed that peers subjected her to cruel pranks and a “whispering campaign” after she once publicly pointed out that a dispatcher was being sexually harassed by co-workers.

Costello also was explicitly told she was being denied promotions and plumb assignments because of her gender, the suit claims.

The strongest allegations in the suit are reserved for LaDucer, whom Costello accuses of forcibly kissing her and making lewd remarks and ominous threats about derailing her career.

The suit claims LaDucer had created such a reputation for workplace fondling and flirting that female employees would routinely “pair up” to avoid being alone with him. Costello came forward with her complaints only after a recent showdown with LaDucer left her fearing for her safety, the suit claims.