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Ashland dispatcher who claimed assault resigns By Sara Murphy ASHLAND � Police dispatcher Mary Ann Siegel, who in July filed a tort claim threatening suit against the city, resigned Wednesday. Police Chief Scott Fleuter confirmed Siegel�s resignation Friday, but declined comment on whether she cited a reason for leaving the city. Published reports quoted Siegel as saying the office atmosphere had been "tense and intimidating" since she reported being assaulted by Capt. Lisa Brooks on July 5. Fleuter said Siegel had not complained to him about a hostile work environment. Siegel did not return telephone messages requesting comment Friday. Medford attorney Thomas Petersen, who represents Siegel, is out until Tuesday. Siegel worked as a clerk/dispatcher for about five months before handing in her resignation. Though she�s no longer working for the city, Fleuter said, he agreed to pay her through Sept. 13. Siegel�s resignation likely stems from an early morning incident on July 5, in which she reported being assaulted by Brooks in the police station, causing injury to the navicular bone between her right thumb and wrist. Brooks, who spent nearly a month on paid leave following the incident, was fired Aug. 2. She had been with the department for 18 years, working her way up through the ranks to become Ashland�s first female sergeant and captain. Siegel spent two weeks on medical leave and returned to work July 24. On Aug. 2, nearly a month after the alleged assault, Siegel told the Mail Tribune she liked her job and had not been the target of harassment at work. Ashland attorney Ronald Cue, acting on Siegel�s behalf, filed a tort claim threatening suit against the city on July 10, said city attorney Paul Nolte. Siegel has since changed counsel. As of Friday, Siegel had not filed a civil suit, Jackson County Court officials said. Meanwhile, nearly two months after the alleged assault, the Lane County District Attorney�s office has yet to file criminal charges against Brooks, who was not cited by police. To avoid any conflict of interest, Lane County officials are handling the case at the request of Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston. Lane County District Attorney Douglass Harcleroad said Friday his office has not made an official decision whether to pursue charges against Brooks. "I hope to have something of a public nature by the end of next week," Harcleroad said. He declined to comment on why the state�s investigation has taken more than eight weeks. Chief Fleuter, who last month fired Brooks for violating the department�s code of ethics, said he�s ready to fill the vacancy. Rather than hire a new captain, Fleuter said he is promoting Sgt. Mike Bianca to lieutenant. Bianca accepted the offer, Fleuter said Friday. A date has not yet been set for Bianca�s change of duties. Bianca, who joined the department in 1986, is a strong mediator with good communication skills, Fleuter said. "He has a real ability to bring people together." As lieutenant, Bianca will manage the department�s support staff, including the dispatch unit. His duties will also include overseeing the records division, purchasing and budgeting, Fleuter said. Lt. Rich Walsh will continue to supervise the field operations. "I would rather have two managers who are of even position," Fleuter said. "That way, down the road, if they want to swap duties, they have the ability to build their skills in the other area. "What I get out of that is two managers with well-rounded skills," he added. Within two weeks, Fleuter plans to promote an officer from within the department to fill Bianca�s sergeant slot. Kirk Cromwell and Jim Alderman are being considered as candidates for the promotion, he said. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA