LAWNDALE : Works Chief Accuses Mayor of Harassment
Public Works Manager Mehrdad (Mike) Kapanpour claims that Mayor Harold E. Hofmann harassed him and discriminated against him.
In a the two-page letter to City Manager Patrick P. Importuna dated Oct. 7, Kapanpour alleged Hofmann made harassing phone calls to his home and subjected Kapanpour to “repeated and ongoing . . . verbal abuse, intimidation (and) threats of discharge.”
Hofmann said that “there is nothing true in (the letter),” but declined to discuss the allegations in detail. He said he has not spoken directly with Kapanpour for at least eight weeks and that he usually channels communication with city employees through the city manager’s office.
In the letter, Kapanpour also accused Hofmann and a former planning commissioner of trying to influence the awarding of city contracts in the Public Works Department.
City officials said they are investigating the allegations and have planned a meeting with Kapanpour this week.
Kapanpour declined to comment.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
