Allegations of doctored evidence and cover-ups have enveloped the reverse discrimination lawsuit targeting Orange County Assessor Webster J. Guillory, the only African American holding countywide elected office.
The assessor is accused of promoting a black employee over a more experienced white worker, who alleges that he was passed over for the job of managing auditor even though, he says, he received a higher score in interviews.
The lawyer representing the white employee, Ronald Cooper, on Thursday told a jury during closing arguments in Orange County Superior Court that Guillory "embarked on a campaign to cover up the truth" by manufacturing personnel documents and hiding interview records after he learned that Cooper planned to challenge the promotion of an African American colleague.
The allegations, adamantly denied by Guillory, capped a bizarre trial that had to be interrupted this week when the judge ordered the assessor's office to retrieve all documents on the promotion because of the apparent disappearance of a document listing Cooper's interview scores.
The document was later found in the courtroom by Cooper, who rifled through a legal binder belonging to Guillory's attorney when the judge, jury and attorneys were outside.
"I would welcome an investigation of Mr. Guillory and how he runs his office," Cooper's attorney, William Crosby, said outside the courtroom after the case went to the jury. "I think there was a cover-up. And I think I proved it."
Reached at his office later in the day, Guillory denied the allegations and defended his department's treatment of employees.
"In lawsuits, all kinds of allegations are made," he said. "This department has a stellar reputation of how it handles and promotes its people."
Guillory declined to comment further until the jury reaches a verdict.
Cooper, who has worked in the assessor's office for 29 years, sued his boss in December 2005. His lawsuit alleges that race was a motivating factor in the decision to pass him over for a management position in favor of Brian Ennis, who has worked in the office for 14 years.
Under the selection process for the job, candidates were initially interviewed by a panel. The finalists selected by the panel were then interviewed by Guillory, who filled out a rating sheet with six categories, including leadership, management skills and problem solving.
