By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer
The Honolulu City Council yesterday rejected a proposal to pay $612,000 to settle police outreach worker Sharon Black’s long-standing lawsuits against Honolulu Police Department officials accused of sexual harassment.
The Council’s Policy Committee discussed the matter in closed-door executive session yesterday. Policy Chairman Romy Cachola said city attorneys from the corporation counsel’s office gave an update on the city’s case. Cachola said a vote was taken but the matter still unsettled.
Black, a civilian, says she was sexually harassed by former Assistant Police Chief Joseph Aveiro Jr.
She also contends that other high-ranking police officials failed to discipline Aveiro.
Because of the confidential classification of legal matters under discussion, Cachola and other council members declined to provide details of their discussion. But it was clear that the latest proposal for a settlement was not supported by a majority of the nine-member council.
The legal update included a discussion of the mounting legal fees. More than $500,000 in public money has been used to defend various police officials in this case, according to city officials.
In 1997, the City Council rejected a $1.25 million settlement offer from Black. Then she turned down the council’s $500,000 counteroffer.
Councilman Steve Holmes said that sometimes it’s more responsible to continue settlement discussions. He noted that the dollar amounts being discussed in connection with the Black case have continued to decline as the years pass.
"Why take the first offer that comes along or maybe even the second offer?" Holmes asked. "Sometimes the smart play to save the taxpayers’ money is to let it get a little bit closer to trial date."
Black has declined to comment on the latest offer. The case is scheduled to go to trial in May.
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