THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 11, 1995 TAG: 9504110320
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KERRY DEROCHI AND FRANCIE LATOUR, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Long : 147 lines
The City Council on Monday called for the Virginia State Police to look into the possibility of criminal misconduct by Vice Mayor Arthur L. Dwyer in his handling of a woman's request to have the city restore her husband's health benefits.
In a special meeting called by Mayor William E. Ward, the City Council voted 8-1 to have the state police look into allegations contained in a series of tape-recorded telephone conversations between Dwyer and Sandra R. Lewis. Councilman John E. Allen voted against the investigation.
In those tapes, Dwyer boasted of close ties to a developer's agent and of his ability to pressure top city officials, including City Manager James W. Rein, to get the benefits that Lewis had demanded from the city.
The call for an investigation followed an impassioned statement from Dwyer, who said he was the target of a smear campaign by a vindictive woman and who pledged a renewed commitment to serve on the council.
``To be victimized by another human being,'' Dwyer said, ``whose deliberate motive was to destroy me in an ordeal is one that no one can understand unless they've experienced it themselves or been close to someone who has been victimized.''
Dwyer said he would ``whole-heartedly welcome an investigation'' and made the motion to ask for one. He called for Commonwealth's Attorney David L. Williams to participate alongside the state police.
Initially, Ward asked City Attorney Ronald S. Hallman to make the discussion part of council's closed session. But Dwyer insisted that it be conducted publicly.
Lewis has alleged that Dwyer pressured her to have sex in exchange for helping with the case of her husband, Sgt. Ed Lewis, who was fired from the Police Department in December 1993 after more than 24 years of service.
Though Dwyer succeeded in getting health benefits for the Lewis family, he could not clear her husband's record and retire him with honors.
Dwyer, while acknowledging that he developed a romantic interest in Lewis, has denied ever exerting any pressure. Both Lewis and Dwyer say they never had sex.
During Monday's meeting, several council members backed Dwyer, asking citizens to reserve judgment and criticizing the media for running what they considered to be personal matters between Dwyer and Lewis.
``Everybody makes mistakes,'' said Councilman Peter P. Duda Jr. ``I don't think there is one person in this room who is perfect. Forgive and forget - that's what the Lord says to do.''
Councilman Robert T. Nance attacked Lewis. Nance, who with Duda was originally assigned to look into Lewis' benefits claim, said Lewis called his home in the middle of the night, cursed his daughter and made lewd remarks to him.
Lewis was not in the chambers Monday but may have her say tonight, when the council meets at 6:30 p.m. in a regular session. She has said she will attend the meeting to ask that Dwyer step down.
Councilman John W. Butt said an investigation is the only way to ``clear the air.'' He said Dwyer's actions may have destroyed the trust needed for the nine-member body to work together. While not naming Dwyer directly, he chastised the vice mayor for making derogatory comments about him.
``That bothers me,'' Butt said. ``Naturally, it tells me there must be a problem some place. If you've got something to say about me, or for me, say it to me, not behind my back.''
Ward, also citing the derisive comments, listed six concerns he had surrounding the taped conversations, including Dwyer's divulging of private city business.
Ward also questioned whether Dwyer had pressured City Manager Rein and other members of the city staff in getting them to sign off on the health insurance for Lewis' husband.
Dwyer met with Rein and Police Chief Ian M. Shipley Jr. to promote Lewis' cause before taking the issue before the City Council on Feb. 14.
The council approved the benefits package that night. Dwyer did not disclose his personal relationship with Lewis.
In a conversation Lewis taped the next evening, Dwyer boasted of how he had gotten Rein to go along with the insurance package. He told Lewis ``it would have been hard for me to get the votes'' had Rein been opposed to giving her the insurance, according to the recording.
``The only reason he didn't, I think, is because, well, I know why he didn't,'' Dwyer said on the tape. ``He owes me. He owes me, and he knows it.''
Dwyer Monday asked Rein and Hallman if he had pressured them on the case. Both said no.
Civic leaders reacting Monday to reports about the recorded conversations said they feared Dwyer's comments would erode public trust in the City Council.
Citing references to Dwyer's close ties to developers and his stereo-typing of black citizens, leading activists said the only way to repair that trust is for the city to conduct an investigation.
``It's almost like the council needs a counselor on board to bring them back to earth so that they don't get themselves into these holes,'' said Jo Ann Clarke, a former president of the Western Branch Council of Civic Organizations.
Clarke said she was most concerned about repeated comments Dwyer made of a close friendship with Raeford Eure, a developer's agent in Chesapeake.
Dwyer bragged of open invitations extended by Eure for plane trips wherever Dwyer wanted to go.
``That concerns me,'' Clarke said, ``because if citizens get the feeling that the public hearing is just a dog and pony show, that the deal has already been done behind closed doors before we even get there, then that is a serious issue.''
In an interview Monday, Eure denied that he had made such an invitation or any close friendship with Dwyer, saying of the vice mayor: ``sounds like he has a vivid imagination.'' MEMO: DWYER'S STATEMENT TO CITY COUNCIL
I've had the honor to serve the citizens of Chesapeake on the
Chesapeake City Council since 1990. Not only have I always considered it
a privilege to serve, but I have been blessed by the wonderful working
relationship with my colleagues and so many others who have committed to
making our city the best it can be.
This has been a very difficult year for me in which I witnessed the
death of my father and so many personal family pressures. Even though
these times were stressful, I have never experienced as much pain as I
have during these last several days.
To be victimized by another human being whose deliberate motive was
to destroy me in an ordeal is one that no one can understand unless
they've experienced it themselves or been close to someone who has been
victimized.
Those of us who choose public service today must do so with the
knowledge that we've placed ourselves as potential targets for those
elements in our society who exist not to better their own lives but to
destroy the lives of those around them.
Some would say this price is too great.
But to me, the price of doing nothing when there are so many needs in
our society is far too greater.
All of us are vulnerable in today's society to smear campaigns from
individuals who are so bitter and disenchanted with their own lives that
they feel they have nothing to lose. And our best and only defense has
always been and will be the truth.
I want to thank my family, my friends and the many caring citizens
who have supported me throughout this ordeal. And their faith in me has
been the strength that has sustained me during these past couple days.
And I look forward with renewed strength and commitment to continuing
to serve the citizens of Chesapeake.
ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
MOTOYA NAKAMURA
Staff
Chesapeake Mayor William E. Ward, right, discusses allegations
surrounding Vice Mayor Arthur Dwyer, left, during Monday's special
meeting of the City Council.
KEYWORDS: INVESTIGATION VIRGINIA STATE POLICE CHESAPEAKE CITY COUNCIL
ARTHUR DWYER VICE MAYOR MISCONDUCT by CNB