Sparks councilman investigated for alleged sexual harassment

Sparks City Councilman Phil Salerno believes his behavior was misunderstood by the two female accusers, but he has apologized and promised not to give any future cause for complaint, his lawyer Calvin Dunlap said.

City Attorney Chet Adams outlined the women's complaints in a confidential memorandum he wrote to Salerno on Aug. 10, the Daily Sparks Tribune reported Wednesday.

The memo does not assign blame, but cautions Salerno against future conduct that might be considered sexual harassment.

The city attorney released the memo at the request of a lawyer for the newspaper.

According to the memo, both women said Salerno appeared drunk at the U.S. Conference of Mayors street party in downtown Victorian Square in June. He allegedly overpowered them with a bear hug in order to feel their breasts while whispering sexually suggestive remarks in their ears and attempted to kiss them on the mouth, the newspaper said.

One employee specifically complained that he "cupped her breast" Another said he groped her and gave her a wet kiss on the mouth. Both women are married.

"I believe the allegations are credible," Adams told the Tribune. "Although they can neither be proven nor disproved, I had to investigate."

Adams spent three weeks on an internal investigation. He initially suggested that Salerno resign his position as chairman of the city's redevelopment agency so as to avert any possibility of an appearance of retaliation against one of the accusers.

Salerno has criticized the performance of one of the accusers who is involved with redevelopment activities, but that criticism was legitimate and not a case of retaliation, Dunlap said.

Salerno refused to step down as chairman of the redevelopment agency.

Dunlap said Salerno is sorry if his actions have made anyone uncomfortable.

"An allegation has been made and we have responded to the matter," said Dunlap, speaking on behalf of Salerno. "An issue has been raised and that issue has been resolved."

Dunlap protested the release of documents to the Tribune because, he said, the city and Salerno could be co-defendants in a future lawsuit by the two employees. He said the release of the documents might increase the amount of damages awarded.

Adams said the investigation would not have become public if not for the newspaper's demand for the release of the memo. He said the women were not seeking any damages.

They requested an informal, in-house investigation only because they wanted to bring an end to the alleged abuses, he said.

"As far as the city is concerned, the outcome of our investigation is satisfactory," Adams said. "My job is to protect city employees from sexual harassment and we have taken reasonable steps to ensure such incidents, if true, don't happen again."

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