Former Mpls. emergency preparedness chief accused of sexual misconduct

An embattled former Minneapolis department head is facing fresh allegations of harassment and discrimination in a new federal lawsuit rife with accusations of sexual misbehavior.

Former deputy Lisa Dressler filed the suit against her boss, Rocco Forte, who served as the director of emergency preparedness and one of the most powerful officials in City Hall until he abruptly resigned in 2011.

Dressler alleges that Forte ordered her to sit next to him at meetings and touched her legs, brushed his body against hers in a sexual manner almost daily and regularly commented on her clothes and appearance. He also ordered her to book hotel rooms so he could have romantic rendezvous with other city employees, even during work hours, the lawsuit alleges.

During a work trip to South Carolina, Dressler alleged that Forte asked her to join him and his girlfriend for a romantic tryst. "[Dressler] was horrified and angered by his request," attorneys John A. Klassen and Andrew P. Muller wrote.

A city investigation released last year indicated that Forte would have faced discipline, including possible termination, for a range of behavior had he not resigned in 2011. Investigators found he disparaged people for their sexual orientation, made off-color sexual remarks and bullied employees who fell out of favor. Forte, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, last year denied creating a hostile environment.

Dressler alleged that Forte would regularly boast about his bedroom prowess, "especially with Minneapolis employees who Forte seemed to consider trophy conquests."

City Attorney Susan Segal said she hadn't yet seen the lawsuit and couldn't comment. Dressler's attorneys said state law requires the city to defend Forte, but Segal said they will analyze that. Dressler is seeking more than $75,000 in damages. She claims lost salary and benefits, denial of employment opportunities and emotional harm.

Dressler also alleged that Forte and his girlfriend sabotaged her chance for a raise, and that he blocked a promotion, secretly examined her phone records and illegally accessed her driver's license records. She also said he started a rumor that she was having an affair with another senior employee while she was married.

Dressler said she feared the city wouldn't protect her from retaliation from Forte and that his allies at City Hall would block her advancement.

Forte spent six of his 36 years with the city as fire chief. His regulatory and emergency services post had a budget of $48 million and 379 employees with oversight of business licensing, emergency preparedness, housing inspections, 911 operations, traffic control and construction code enforcement.

Forte told an interviewer last year that he went to counseling and spoke with a priest after leaving the city to understand how he ended up in his situation. He said he was working long days, got too close to some people and made occasional off-color jokes. But he denied being a racist and acting in retaliatory fashion.

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438