Parks worker arrested in South County drug bust

Eron Ben-Yehuda

City officials have yet to decide whether a park employee arrested last

month for operating a drug lab out of his Lake Forest home should be

fired, or even disciplined.

“We’re reviewing the entire matter,” city personnel director William

Osness said.

On Aug. 12, police raided the apartment of Brian Civitano, 37, and found

evidence that he manufactured methamphetamine, said Det. Tom Richard, who

works for a countywide drug task force.

Officials arrested Civitano while confiscating chemical ingredients,

equipment and a few grams of the “finished product,” Richard said. “It’s

a very strong case, in my opinion,” he said.

The district attorney’s office charged Civitano with the manufacture of

methamphetamine, the possession of a chemical with intent to manufacture

methamphetamine, and two counts of child endangerment because his

daughters were with him at the time of his arrest, Deputy Dist. Atty.

Jonathan Fish said.

If convicted, Civitano could face up to nine years and eight months in

prison.

Civitano, who is out on bail, works for the city’s division of park, tree

and landscape. His supervisor, Daryl Smith, wouldn’t comment on the case.

Before injuring his arm while on the job last year, Civitano led a work

crew that mowed grass. He has since taken a leave of absence and collects

worker’s compensation benefits, Osness said.

Before taking any disciplinary action, the city must give all city

employees, including Civitano, an opportunity to defend themselves,

Osness said.

“Maybe they’ve got a twin brother by the same name,” he said. “Who knows

what they’re going to say.”

The legal safeguards, while important, do make punishing employees a

difficult, drawn-out process, he said. Once the city division or

department head makes a decision, Civitano can appeal to the city’s

personnel commission, he said. If he’s still not satisfied, Civitano can

take the case to court, he said. The process could take months and

sometimes more than a year, although that’s rare, he said.

Even if prosecutors win a conviction, the city would still not have an

open-and-shut case against Civitano because he didn’t commit the crime

while on the job, he said.

“That’s not to mention we condone his behavior, if in fact he was doing

that,” he said.