Carnation Police Chief Seeks An Apology, Blames Former Mayor

CARNATION

A continuing investigation of the Carnation Police Department has taken a twist, with the attorney for Gunnar Otness, the police chief, contending Otness was placed on paid leave because he refused to misuse his position at the behest of then-Mayor Jack Stein.

Demanding an apology from the Carnation City Council, attorney Anne Bremner said Otness did nothing wrong as chief and was placed on administrative leave last month illegally.

Bremner has told the Carnation city attorney that Otness thinks he was placed on leave for three reasons: declining Stein's request to talk with the husband of a woman with whom Stein allegedly was having an affair, refusing orders from Stein to fire three police officers and to give two maintenance workers poor evaluations.

Stein, who resigned March 3, said he could not respond to Otness' accusations because of a continuing investigation involving police Officer Frank Sloan.

And Scott Snyder, Carnation city attorney, said it was his recommendation, approved by the City Council, to place Otness and Sloan on leave.

"Stein had very little to do with that decision," Snyder said. "It was made purely for legal reasons."

But Bremner said Otness wants a formal apology from the council and wants the city to pay for his attorney fees.

Sloan and Otness were placed on paid administrative leave last month pending the outcome of parallel investigations by the King County Sheriff's Office, Association of Washington Cities and the FBI. City officials later said that the investigations focused only on Sloan and that Otness' leave would ensure an appearance of fairness.

Just why Sloan is under investigation has not been revealed.

Earlier this month, Sheriff Dave Reichert said the FBI was looking into "possible federal civil-rights violations" allegedly committed by Sloan. Reichert said his department joined the FBI, but concluded its probe saying there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal prosecution.

Otness said his problems with Stein began shortly after he was hired. He said he refused Stein's order to fire three police officers, because there were no grounds for termination.

Later, Otness said, Stein told him to give two maintenance workers poor evaluations, but he refused because he thought both men were doing satisfactory work.

But the primary problem, according to Otness, began Feb. 3, when Stein told him that a Kirkland man was "bothering him" and asked him to persuade the man to stop the harassment.

Otness told Stein that he would not use his position as head of the Police Department - his official title is public-safety director - to put pressure on someone who had not committed a crime.

Sloan took Stein's original report on the matter and backed Otness' decision to remain neutral, according to Jerald Pearson, Sloan's attorney.

Bremner and Pearson hired private investigators who uncovered evidence supported by two sworn affidavits by two Seattle Police Department officers.

The officers stated that former Mayor Stein was involved in an affair with the Kirkland man's wife. The police officers are married to each other, and the woman is a friend who had moved in with them.

When Otness was put on leave, Stein told the couple, "Gunnar is now getting what he deserves for not helping me," Bremner told the city.

When Stein quit his job, he cited ongoing threats for the reason. He said he was afraid for his family.

Meanwhile, Bremner and Snyder disagree over Otness' contract with the city. Snyder said the contract expired March 17. Bremner contends he has a contract for the remainder of 1998.

The results of the investigation of Sloan by Association of Washington Cities attorney Eileen Lawrence will be given to the city Tuesday, Snyder said.

If punitive action is taken against Sloan, or he is dismissed, he has the right to a hearing before the city's Civil Service Commission. At that point, the findings would become public.

Louis T. Corsaletti's phone message number is 206-515-5626. His e-mail address is: lcor-new@seatimes.com