LOS ANGELES — A trial is expected to begin today in federal court between City Hall and a long-time employee who alleges he was denied a promotion based on his race and age.
Vonnell Adams, 56, an African-American service officer at the Santa Monica Airport, filed suit in 2010 claiming that his supervisors improperly promoted a Hispanic colleague by circumventing the agency’s normal promotion procedures.
The 17-year employee further alleged that there was a pattern of hiring Hispanics over African Americans, and of discrimination based on age.
City Hall “adamantly” denies that either race or age played any role in Adams not receiving the promotion, said Deputy City Attorney Anthony Serritella.
According to the complaint, fellow officers and supervisors began discriminating against Adams after he filed a complaint in 2003 with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission over what he alleged to be unfair treatment by his then-superior, Sgt. Willard Kemp.
From then on, Adams alleges that he was subjected to constant discrimination, including racially-charged comments about other African Americans and criticism over his job performance including a “failure to assist the sweeping crew sweeping the runway at 0300 hours,” according to the federal complaint.
In 2008, Sgt. Jeff Wiles and Officer Leo Iniguez conducted a search for a new police assistant. An African-American woman was a member of the candidate pool.
According to the complaint, when Adams asked about her chances of getting hired, Iniguez responded, “She’s black,” laughed, and drove off. A Hispanic female later got the job.
At least one other Hispanic employee was hired between then and the filing of the complaint, according to court records.
When Adams spoke up about this and other alleged slights, including not being allowed to train or evaluate the new employees, Wiles made “numerous negative and unfounded comments” about Adams in retaliation, according to the complaint.
Adams has consistently received satisfactory job performance reviews, Serritella said.
In August 2009, City Hall and the Santa Monica Police Department began taking applications for the position of Lead Airport Service Officer at the SMO substation.
Adams passed the promotional exam and was one of three officers chosen for a selection interview by two panels of officers, one from outside the police department and one composed of internal people, Serritella said.
Both panels selected the highest-rated candidate for the position, Serritella said. The complaint says Iniguez was hired for the position.
In the complaint, Adams and his attorney allege that he had more experience than Iniguez, and that Iniguez routinely flouted airport policy by dumping trash and storing personal property at the airport.
Serritella would not comment on any disciplinary matters related to Iniguez.
The trial is expected to begin today in the federal courthouse in Downtown Los Angeles at 8:30 a.m. and wrap up within a week, Serritella said.
“I think that the city will be able to demonstrate that decisions made with regard to the Lead Airport Service Officer position was fair and nondiscriminatory, and that Mr. Adams’ case was without merit.”
For his part, Adams hopes that his case will both reopen the position of Lead Airport Service Officer and ensure that discriminatory practices at the airport end.
“There’s no watchful eye,” Adams said. “They’re putting folks in positions where they don’t have the experience to lead. I can respect the rank, but I can’t respect the person that doesn’t have that experience to lead.”
ashley@www.smdp.com