County Won’t Pay LaDucer’s Defense

The county has informed former Assistant Sheriff Dennis LaDucer that it will no longer pay for his legal defense against sexual harassment lawsuits filed by three Sheriff’s Department employees, officials said Friday.

The county’s risk management office made its decision late last month after an administrative review determined that the behavior alleged in the suits did not meet the state’s criteria for providing government employees with defense funds.

LaDucer is accused of making inappropriate comments to Lt. Wendy Costello as well as groping her and two other department employees. In August, Sheriff Brad Gates fired LaDucer, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

After the lawsuits were filed in May, the county agreed to pick up LaDucer’s defense costs on an interim basis but reserved the right to cut off funding after an administrative review. The county will cover attorney bills through Dec. 31, said Sharon Lightholder, manager of the county’s risk management office.

The county will pay all of LaDucer’s attorney bills if the former lawman is vindicated in court.

“If a jury finds the accusations against Mr. LaDucer are not founded, the county will reimburse the costs of the defense at that time,” Lightholder said. “The emphasis is that this is an administrative review and in no way should prejudice the proceedings taking place. That would extremely inappropriate.”

Lightholder declined to provide details of the review, saying only that it was based on an examination of the lawsuits and the government codes covering when employees are entitled to receive defense funds.

Officials also declined to say how much the county expects to pay to LaDucer’s attorney, saying they have not received all the bills and are unlikely to reveal their contents until the trial is over.

Santa Ana attorney Bruce Praet, who is representing LaDucer, said he was surprised by the county’s action but insisted it would not compromise the defense.

“I was somewhat baffled because I was not aware of any change in Dennis’ case,” he said. “We will continue to have an aggressive defense.”

LaDucer, 52, has fought back against the allegations, filing a slander suit against his accusers. In September, LaDucer filed a second suit in federal court claiming his civil rights had been violated when Gates fired him.

Praet said a different attorney is handling the civil right case and might amend the suit to request that the county pay for LaDucer’s legal defense.

LaDucer was a 31-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department and was one of Gates’ closest assistants.