Former Pasadena Adjutant Claims Police Chief Made Sexually Inappropriate Remarks

A former Public Information Officer in the Pasadena Police Department has filed a claim against Pasadena Police Chief Eugene Harris claiming discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

Lt. Monica Cuellar also served as the Chief’s Adjutant, which included work as the Department’s public information officer until January, when she returned to patrol.

“I understand these allegations will be reviewed and fully welcome the process,” Harris said in a statement released by his personal attorney Wednesday evening. “I remain committed to transparency, accountability and service — and I trust the truth will come to light.”

According to Cuellar’s attorney, Brad Gage, Harris made a number of inappropriate sexual comments to her,

“These are part of the allegations that formed the hostile work environment,” Gage said at a press conference outside of the police station on Wednesday. “Monica never gave the Chief an opportunity to have any type of relationship against her or with her, and then after that she ended up being retaliated against.”

Gage said that Cuellar is married to Pasadena Police Detective Keith Gomez. Neither Cuellar nor Gomez attended Wednesday’s press conference.

According to Gage, Gomez plans to file a claim over unpaid overtime related to hours he worked during the Eaton Fire.

Gage also claimed that Harris spoke to Cuellar about a traumatic childhood incident.

Harris said the incident happened at a leadership retreat intended to foster trust and has been misrepresented for headlines.

Harris’ attorney told Pasadena Now that the police Chief discussed the matter in front of several officers.

“As a longtime advocate for officer wellness, I’ve proudly expanded the Pasadena Police Wellness Program, to support personnel in managing stress and trauma.”

Gage also spent time discussing a “Murphy bed” in Harris’ office.

A Murphy bed, also known as a pull-down bed, is a bed that is hinged at one end so it can be stored vertically.

When reached by Pasadena Now on Wednesday, Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian confirmed the City purchased the bed for Harris.

“Given the nature of Harris’ work and his two-hour travel time, the City did purchase a Murphy bed for him so he could stay at the job to lead extended operations and meeting schedules,” Derderian told Pasadena Now.

The Chief recently worked long hours during the Eaton Fire and also routinely works nearly around the clock on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 when increased law enforcement is required for the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl Game.

Gage, however, said there is no reason for Harris to have a bed in his office.

“We can put two and two together and get a feeling for how that looks and how that affects the women that are still there working that happened to see the Chief come out with a woman from his office late at night after hours.”

Gage originally called Cuellar a “victim of that.”

When asked to clarify, Gage said that Cuellar happened to be in the office late one night after hours when she saw the Chief coming out of his office with a woman.

“She knows from being in his office before that he has a Murphy bed,” Gage said. “You can put two and two together and that created a beginning of a hostile work environment because the insinuation is that the Chief is having a relationship with a woman at work.”

When asked what time the incident occurred, Gage did not give a specific time and instead said it was “after 6 p.m.”

Gage described the woman seen coming out of the Chief’s office as a “frequent visitor.”

Although the woman has been identified in court documents, Pasadena Now has decided not to print the woman’s name because she is not a City employee or a subordinate of the Police Chief.

Esprit Jones, Chair of the City’s Police Oversight Commission did not comment on the matter when reached by Pasadena Now because the Commission does not perform oversight on personnel matters.

State law prevents the City from discussing personnel matters.

Cuellar served as the Department’s Public Information Officer until she was transferred back to patrol in January.

Other allegations in the complaint allege that Harris:

• asked Cuellar how big an assistant city attorney was (referencing his penis).
• Made a comment about a wet dream.
• Harris used the term “house nigger” in a meeting.
• Told a female employee to hurry up during a meeting because he had to “take a dump.”
• The claim also contends that Harris stared at women’s backsides, saying he couldn’t help it. He was a man.

Gage represents several other clients that have filed claims against the Department.

“An investigation should be conducted by the Department of Justice,” said former police Lieutenant Carolyn Gordon, who has filed a complaint against the City and is represented by Gage. “This police Department should be under a consent decree. The Pasadena Police Department needs to be monitored or this behavior will continue.”

In a statement released on Wednesday, the City acknowledged receiving the claim and said it would be investigated.

“The City of Pasadena received a claim filed by a Pasadena Police Lieutenant,” Derderian said. “The City is reviewing the claim. The City takes all allegations of misconduct seriously. The City will follow all proper procedures to process the claim with full information. The allegations will be addressed through the appropriate legal process, not through the media.”