It’s been a rough couple of months for West Hollywood councilman John Duran.
Earlier this year, he finally laid to rest a half-a-million-dollar lawsuit in which he was accused of sexually harassing former City Council deputy, Ian Owens.
To make a very long and rather dramatic story short: Duran and Owens initially met on Grindr back in 2012. They hooked up and three months later Duran offered Owens a job in his office. After Owens was fired in January 2015 for allegedly bugging another city employee’s office to listen in on her campaign secrets, he filed a lawsuit against the City of West Hollywood, claiming his one-time Grindr hookup made repeated sexual advances towards him “well over 100 times” while he was employed for him. Duran denied the allegations, noting that Owens didn’t accuse him of harassment until after he was accused of wrongdoing himself.
Last month, the lawsuit was finally settled, with the city forking over $500,000 to Owens. Under the terms of the settlement, both Duran and the city admitted no wrongdoing.
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Related: West Hollywood Pays Half Million Bucks To Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
Now, one of Duran’s colleagues, councilman John D’Amico, who is also gay, has come forward to say he doesn’t agree with the city paying half a million smackeroos on Duran’s behalf, implying that his co-worker is some sort of a sex addict who poses a threat to the future of City Hall.
“For years I have glanced over and seen John trolling on Grindr for men,” D’Amico said during a special meeting held earlier this week. “I can no longer agree to believe that we can give John Duran a pass.”
D’Amico also accused the city’s former HR director, LuNita Bock, of failing to respond to Owens complaints in the beginning, allowing them to fester into what has now been labeled “Deputygate,” as well as City Attorney Michael Jenkins for refusing to release a report by private investigator Steve Rodig, who the city hired to investigate the situation.
Related: The Rainbow Flag Is Too Gay For West Hollywood’s City Hall
D’Amico added that he believes Owens was “bullied and shamed” by City Hall officials, and that he was merely a “young city employee who needed more supervision.” Supervision neither Duran nor Bock were willing to provide. He also said he fears unless Duran is held accountable, “this kind of thing may happen again.”
Duran responded to D’Amico’s comments by saying the whole year-long mess was all one big “political stunt,” pivoting the blame toward Owens by calling him one of “the most detested employees at City Hall.” He then apologized “for hiring a friend. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“But,” he added, “I will never apologize for sexual harassment because I didn’t do that.”
Watch video of D’Amico discussing Duran’s conduct below.
Council Member D'Amico on the $500,000 settlement with a forme…
Councilmember John D'Amico makes a courageous and bold public statement at last night's WeHo City Council Meeting on the $500,000 payout to a city employee Councilmember Duran had sex with and then hired as his six figure salaried deputy
Posted by WeHo Residents Alliance on Tuesday, March 8, 2016
h/t: Wehoville
Omar Ramos
What kind of workplace is this, and, are they hiring??
Paco
Don’t the straight politicians lose their jobs over scandals like this one? He should resign.
Theonewhoismany
I am most concerned by the allegations of bugging a rivals’ office. I mean sexual harassment is a serious offence. I am, however, more deeply concerned about the implications that this kind of activity can go unpunished at any level, let alone the municipal level.
da90027
They pay for this by the parking nazis you cannot park anywhere in weho without permits and a gauntlet of rules they are also in cohoots with the towing companies. Weho is a pretentious mess full of corruption.
robho3
That office sounds like a hot mess !
dannysax
This just doesn’t look right. The two hooked up on Grindr and 3 months later, he gave him a job? This most likely means they were having an affair for the 3 months before the job offer. So it’s very dishonest to accuse Duran of sexually harassing him during his time in the office. I’m sure anything that happened was consensual. Owens just used that after he was fired to get back at the city, and the only thing he could think of was to accuse Duran. What a bunch of crap! They should never have given Owens a cent. Sounds like this D’Amico is a homophobe out to get Duran.
Harlan Snyder
Time for Mr. Duran to go! He has been there way to long. Boo-Bye.
youarekiddingme
@dannysax: So, why did the attorney(s) for the city recommend a settlement if it was a bunch of crap? If it was consensual? Sounds like he went to HR… I worked in city government and can tell you, from experience, that they NEVER settle a lawsuit unless they have to (unless we’re talking about a relatively small amount of money–saving lawyer fees). The city would never just “fork over” $500,000 for a bullshit, frivolous suit from a guy who just wanted money. They’d tell him to “pound salt.”
D’Amico didn’t sound the least bit homophobic (afraid of homosexuals–that’s what the word means). In fact, I might guess that he himself is gay. This guy tried to handle the situation discretely and it didn’t work. He now feels like shit. The guy is very articulate and also wants to see the report that’s being kept secret by council. I think this guy is pretty responsible, up front, honest and the type of person I would want to see on my city government.
Finally, you want to stick up for Duran? This asshole goes on Grindr, meets a guy, has an affair with him for 3 months, then HIRES HIM!!! Now, do you want him as a Manager in your city? Where was his boss and HR when this happened? Don’t tell me no one knew he was fucking this guy before he hired him either. I call bullshit on that.
Tom Remillard
Closet cases… They’re sick
NoCagada
@Paco: Like David Vitter?
Kangol
@Omar Ramos: Your post made me laugh out loud.
@robho3: Ding ding ding, you win the prize. A West Hot Messywood City Council it is.
scotshot
BitchFight!