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Former Mayor Slams Pasadena Police for Failing to Discipline Sergeant
News Aug 02, 2017
The Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band performs during day two of Bandfest on December 30, 2015 at Pasadena City College. The two day event features the marching bands participating in the 126th Rose Parade. - Courtesy photo / Trevor Stamp
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“When the city and Chief Sanchez learned about the first arrest, they did not prevent the second,” Attorney William M. Paparian, who acted as mayor of the city of Pasadena from 1995 to 1997 said. – Courtesy photo /Prayitno (CC BY 2.0)
Attorney William M. Paparian, who acted as mayor of the city of Pasadena from 1995 to 1997, condemned the Pasadena Police Department (PPD) for allowing a police sergeant to retire without taking any action on three personnel complaints that were filed against that officer.
Sgt. Michael Bugh retired shortly after the city agreed to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by his sister and her friend.
In May, the city agreed to pay $300,000 to Michelle Rodgers and Selah Chavet, who said Bugh misused his position and arrested them during a family dispute. Bugh and Rodgers are siblings.
“It’s been 18 months since three personnel complaints were filed against Bugh,” Paparian said. “No action was taken. This is conduct that is as unprofessional as the conduct of the police department in arresting these two women.”
In March 2015 police officers handcuffed and jailed Rodgers and Chavet after Bugh made a false report about a disturbance at the home of Rodgers’ and Bugh’s mother. The arrest came just 10 days after Rodgers filed a personnel claim with the Pasadena Police Department against Bugh. In the claim, Rodgers said Bugh abused his position as a police officer to gain control of their family trust.
At the time of the arrest, Bugh headed the Pasadena Police Department’s financial crimes unit and supervised the detectives investigating his sister.
In a personnel claim filed with Pasadena PD against Bugh, Rodgers called the arrest a “preemptive strike by my brother Sgt. Michael Bugh to attempt to silence me,” She noted that Bugh hoped to prevent Rodgers from protecting the assets of the family trust.
Rodgers also said her brother “abused his position as a police officer for personal gain.” The March arrest of Rodgers and Chavet followed the filing of the personnel claim.
“The City and the PPD had actual notice long before these incidents that Sgt. Bugh lacked judgment and was unable to keep his personal life separated from his responsibilities as a Pasadena Police officer and supervisor,” Paparian said. “When the city and Chief Sanchez learned about the first arrest, they did not prevent the second.”
Ultimately the Los Angeles District Attorney rejected the elder abuse case and the Pasadena City Prosecutor rejected the trespassing case.
“These women are innocent victims of a department that has continually rewarded problem police officers instead of disciplining them.” Paparian finished.
