HAHN AMONG THOSE SUED BY FORMER CITY OFFICIAL.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

The former head of the Los Angeles Animal Services Department, who suffers from epilepsy, has filed suit against Mayor James Hahn and other city officials, claiming they ignored his discrimination complaint.

Dan Knapp, the former general manager of animal services, filed the lawsuit Tuesday against Hahn, City Council President Alex Padilla and city Personnel Manager Margaret Whelan.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, says that soon after Knapp was hired in July 1998, Hahn prohibited him from riding in city vehicles, even as a passenger, because of his epilepsy. Knapp was fired in October 2001 while he was on sick leave, but Knapp claims he wasn't given a reason for his termination.

He filed the discrimination complaint in November 2001 with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. According to the suit, the city failed to investigate the circumstances of his complaint.

The Mayor's Office referred questions to the City Attorney's Office, which declined to comment on the suit.

Knapp's lawsuit demands that the city enforce a 1996 charter rule made after allegations of sexual harassment were raised against City Councilman Nate Holden.

The rule requires the mayor and the City Council president to conduct an independent investigation when harassment or discrimination complaints are made. The investigation would be conducted by a special committee composed of two former judges, two law school professors and an arbitrator.

``Hahn is self-dealing from a conflict of interest; he has no business being involved in blocking an investigation of himself,'' said Knapp's Pasadena attorney, Dale Gronemeier. ``The issue needs to go to the whole council, and then to a special committee'' investigation.