A Los Angeles police officer filed a lawsuit against the city to reveal details of the sexual harassment he suffered while serving as part of Mayor Eric Garcetti's security team. The lawsuit claims the high-ranking official was aware of the indecent act but allowed it to continue. 

In the complaint, Officer Matthew Garza alleged he was subjected to unwanted sexual advances from the Democratic mayor's senior political adviser Rick Jacobs. 

Garza became part of the mayor's security detail in October 2013. He and other officers were tasked with accompanying the mayor to function and engagements. 

The lawsuit included several instances where Jacobs made inappropriate comments or advances towards the officer. The political adviser would allegedly hug Garza without his permission. He would also make remarks such as "you're so strong and handsome," and "I love me, my strong LAPD officers."

The complaint said Jacobs would often pull Garza in for a tight hug when they shook hands. It also said Garcetti witnessed more than half of the incidents mentioned in the lawsuit. However, the mayor "silently condoned the political adviser's actions," the Washington Examiner reports. 

The lawsuit claimed Garza's job required him to interact with Jacobs. But the political adviser often talked about his male lover and having "rough sex" with his partners. Jacobs also said he was attracted to younger men. 

During several trips out of town, the political adviser allegedly asked Garza what size condoms he used. He also asked the officer to sit on his lap. 

Garza lost his rank as Police Officer III +1 after he refused to return to Mayor Garcetti's security team. 

Disputing the accounts

In a statement released by Deputy Communications Director Alex Comisar, he denounced claims that the mayor condoned Jacobs' behavior. He claimed Garcetti had zero tolerance for sexual harassment, Fox News reports. 

Comisar also said the mayor's office followed protocols and launched a proper investigation into the allegations. The city's attorney officer will review Garza's claims.

Jacobs, the accused, also disputed the LAPD officer's accounts, calling it "pure fiction." 

Previous Accusations

In 2018, Tracy Hernandez, the founding chief executive of the Los Angeles County Business Federation, accused Jacobs of threatening to punish her group after they opposed a tax proposal backed by Mayor Garcetti, KTLA 5 reports. 

The senior political adviser said he would bar members of the group from conducting business in Los Angeles for four years if they continued to campaign against the tax measure.

The mayor's long-time adviser denied Hernandez's claims. He claims he felt insulted that the chief executive would accuse him of using his position and power against non-supporters.

The proposal, which was named the Measure EE, aimed to impose a parcel tax that could raise enough money for the Los Angeles Unified School District. The funding would go towards sustaining smaller class sizes and increase staffing. 

Want to read more? Check out the latest news from the U.S.: