Judge Dismisses LaDucer’s Suit Against Sheriff’s Department

SANTA ANA —  A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by former Assistant Sheriff Dennis LaDucer, who claimed his civil rights were violated when he was fired in August.

LaDucer, a 31-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, was fired after several female employees accused him of sexual harassment.

LaDucer, 52, filed the suit in September alleging that Sheriff Brad Gates and Undersheriff Raul Ramos had breached his rights to privacy and due process by publicly announcing the firing.

Federal District Judge Richard A. Paez did not explain his ruling, made earlier this month.

“The sheriff is very pleased with the decision,” said Lt. Hector Rivera, a spokesman for the sheriff’s department.

LaDucer’s attorney, Jeffrey M. Epstein, could not be reached for comment.

LaDucer, former leader of all patrol operations and investigative units, was fired after an internal inquiry into sexual harassment claims by three female employees led investigators to a fourth woman, another department employee, who accused LaDucer of raping her at his home in June 1995.

All four women filed sexual harassment lawsuits against LaDucer.

The most serious allegations against LaDucer were leveled by an unnamed civilian employee who, in a “Jane Doe” lawsuit, claims she was raped and forced to perform oral sex on LaDucer when he attacked her two years ago in his home.

LaDucer’s federal suit claimed that he was denied due process when he was refused access to reports and conclusions from the department’s inquiry that led to his firing, and when he learned of his dismissal only after Gates announced it in a press release.

The suit, which sought unspecified compensation and punitive damages, also claimed LaDucer was forced to provide information during the internal investigation that may now be improperly used against him in the criminal inquiry.

At the time of the firing, Gates said LaDucer “clearly . . . violated our department rules and regulations.”