Andrew Adelman's Sick Sex Scandal

Rape and kidnapping claim hits a long-criticized Los Angeles City Hall bureaucrat

Comments (0) By ERIC LEONARD Wednesday, Aug 19 2009

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“Andrew was very insistent about wanting to have anal sex. [The victim] repeatedly told him ‘no.’ [The victim] told Andrew she wanted to leave. Andrew inserted his penis into [the victim’s] vagina while one of the vibrators was still inside. [The victim] passed out.”

When the accuser awoke again, according to the report, Adelman sexually attacked her again. He later drove her back to her car, near Kendall’s restaurant.

This site’s publisher, Eric Longabardi, stumbled upon the explosive probe in an unsealed court file.

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While Vargas’ report doesn’t draw any conclusions, it’s easy to read between the lines in the affidavit and understand the woman believes she was drugged. She felt “like a robot,” unable to control her movements, emotions or speech — or to “physically or verbally” resist Adelman, she says. “She does not overindulge in public,” Vargas wrote, “never to the point of incapacitation.”

She told police she sought medical help first for the effects of an unknown drug in her system, then later for the alleged sexual assault.

By press time, the case had not yet been presented by LAPD to the District Attorney. Strangely, prosecutors say they learned of the investigation not from detectives but from a “defense attorney” who was somehow informed first.

Adelman ignored requests for comments. Geragos has spoken only to the L.A. Times, saying, “It’s unfortunate that ... an investigation has been made public before any determination of the validity of the allegations has been made.”

While the allegations stunned officials at City Hall, Building and Safety insiders say several female employees have claimed that Adelman regularly made disturbing and crude sexual remarks.

A 2006 city audit found Adelman’s department reeling with mismanagement: It gave preferential treatment to rich developers; failed to supervise inspectors who often wield tremendous power over business owners, homeowners and others; and manipulated stats to make it seem that the department was getting a lot done.

At least five lawsuits filed by employees have named Adelman personally, with some workers describing him as having a volatile and sometimes abusive personality. His ex-wife has publicly said he has anger-management issues.

In 2008, a Weekly investigation revealed that L.A. has become the capital of the illegal billboard industry. Yet Adelman’s team — along with City Hall elected leaders — has for years blown off complaints and allowed the industry to weasel around regulations, effectively letting outdoor-advertising firms install signs almost anywhere without consequences.

During the past week, as well as during multiple previous investigations by the media and auditors which slammed Adelman’s oversight of a department that reaches deep into people’s lives, Adelman has routinely refused to explain his actions. That could be a difficult position to maintain if this case goes before a jury and opens up to scrutiny not only Adelman’s private life but also his City Hall activities.