City of Carmel hires private lawyer to investigate allegations against mayor

The City of Carmel will hire a private attorney to investigate charges of sexual harassment against the city’s mayor, Steve Dallas.

The Carmel city attorney announced the move at Thursday’s city council meeting.

“As a result of these allegations, the city has hired an independent investigator,” said City Attorney Glen Mozingo.

The man accused of the inappropriate behavior, Mayor Steve Dallas, isn’t saying much.

At least two women, including Kim Stemler with the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, have accused Steve Dallas of inappropriate behavior

Stemler says Dallas made sexual remarks while she was working at the Carmel Film Festival in October.

She also claims Dallas has been “sexualizing conversations” for years.

KION caught up with Dallas during a council break, but he would only give a prepared statement.

“This is an on-going investigation by the city attorney’s office,” Dallas read, “I’ve been asked not to comment until the investigation is complete, thank you.”

The city attorney also isn’t saying much, except that no comment or speculation will be made until the independent investigation is finished.

“The results of that conference will be reported in a future open session meeting by the city council,” Mozingo said.

The city attorney did say the results will be brought to the council and public through a fair and unbiased process.

“The purpose of this procedure is to afford the constitutional protections of due process to all parties,” Mozingo said, “Both the accusers and the accused.”

Though the city attorney didn’t say who the private investigator was, he did say the person was a lawyer who specializes in investigating these matters and has 27 years of experience.