For several weeks after a workplace sexual harassment lawsuit
was filed against Recreation Services Manager Robert Ornelas, he
allowed a sexually obscene stuffed animal to remain in the office
he manages, according to a witness.
A stuffed bear
– dressed in a black leather thong bikini – has been perched on
top of the computer monitor of a part-time Recreation Division
employee, Tina Talavera. When squeezed, a recording of a woman’s
voice screams, moans and mutters phrases – as if she is having
sexual intercourse – for about 10 sec
onds.
For several weeks after a workplace sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against Recreation Services Manager Robert Ornelas, he allowed a sexually obscene stuffed animal to remain in the office he manages, according to a witness.
A stuffed bear – dressed in a black leather thong bikini – has been perched on top of the computer monitor of a part-time Recreation Division employee, Tina Talavera. When squeezed, a recording of a woman’s voice screams, moans and mutters phrases – as if she is having sexual intercourse – for about 10 seconds.
Resident Ron Miller, who runs a theater program through the division, filmed and took digital pictures of the bear about a week ago and showed the evidence to the Free Lance.
The stuffed animal was in the office for at least four months, but was removed by city officials sometime in the past week, according to Miller. Talavera’s desk is directly adjacent to Ornelas’ office.
William Marder, the local attorney representing the six women in the suit, called the toy’s appearance and recording, “blatantly vulgar, sexual noises.”
“I think it’s horrible judgment,” Marder said. “I’m curious why they’re continuing to engage in this harassing behavior.”
Miller’s wife and his 17-year-old daughter are among the six plaintiffs in the suit, filed Nov. 17, alleging continued sexually harassing behavior by Ornelas since 2000. At recent meetings of the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Millers and others have requested the removal of Ornelas from his post.
Miller said he discovered the sexual nature of the bear earlier this year when Ornelas squeezed it, activated the audio and threw it toward Miller. He caught the bear while it was making its graphic noises, threw it back at Ornelas and departed the office, he said.
About three weeks ago – after the sexual harassment suit had been filed and publicized – Miller visited the Recreation Division office. He was surprised, he said, to see that it was allowed to remain on Talavera’s monitor.
“It makes 10 seconds worth of noises that would make you cringe,” said Miller, who said three minors work in the office. Management Services Director Clay Lee did not return phone calls to City Hall on Thursday to confirm those numbers.
Miller informed City Council members Robert Scattini and Pauline Valdivia about the bear, which was in the office as recently as one week ago, according to Free Lance observation. Since, it has been confiscated by city officials, Miller said.
Scattini on Thursday confirmed talking to Miller about it. When Scattini found out about a week ago, he said he told City Manager Dale Shaddox to “take care of the situation.”
Shaddox on Thursday said he cannot confirm or deny the existence of the sexually graphic stuffed animal.
“These sorts of things are personnel matters that I really can’t comment on one way or another,” Shaddox said.
Employees at the Recreation Division said Ornelas is out of the office until Monday. Meanwhile, City Attorney Elaine Cass also declined comment, and Talavera did not return phone calls to the office Thursday.
Scattini, meanwhile, expressed frustration at the situation because Council members are restricted on personnel matters and told by senior officials to remain tight-lipped.
“Maybe we ought to change the law,” he suggested.
Scattini said he viewed the videotape of the stuffed bear making sexual noises.
“(Miller) is very belligerent about it, and he has every right to be,” Scattini said.
Other Council members declined to comment on specifics of the matter.
“I don’t know what’s going on – we’ll find out,” Valdivia said.
Miller’s daughter alleges in the suit that Ornelas “grinded his pelvis into her” at a luncheon for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Ornelas is also the president of the Chamber. His wife, Jeannette Miller, claims Ornelas has kissed the back of her head, touched her legs, grabbed her hips and called her on the phone and said, “I’m watching you.”
Other allegations from the four other women during work or work-related gatherings include – among others – preferential treatment, leering and inappropriate touching. The city has until Wednesday to respond to the suit.
