Alleged Threats to Councilman Led to Investigation

A local opponent of ballot Measure C has asked some members of the City Council for an apology after a sheriff's investigation found insufficient evidence to prosecute her after she allegedly made serious threats against an RVP councilman.

Amid heated discussions on Measure C—the city's proposed charter initiative—and the , two passionately debated issues in Rancho Palos Verdes, Councilman Brian Campbell told police in January that he had been threatened by resident Sharon Yarber and feared for his and his family's safety.

Yarber has said she does not support Measure C because of the control it would give to members of City Council, among other reasons.

Campbell filed a report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department against Sharon Yarber in mid-January after both attended a Los Angeles County Republican Party monthly meeting. Campbell waited about three days before filing a report against Yarber.

He reported the threat to City Attorney Carol Lynch, then to the Sheriff's Department. Before filing the report, Campbell also called Yarber to give her the opportunity to explain herself, according to a March 3 sheriff's report.

In reports, a phone conversation between Yarber—who has been at the front of opposition against Measure C—and Campbell is described.

According to Campbell's report, Yarber said, "Brian, if you participate (or words to that effect) in moving forward (as a vote on city council) with the Annenberg Project and a land exchange, then you need to know that there will be a huge number of people extremely angry with you.

"Brian, you don't want them coming to your house, and they know where you live, and picketing outside. You know what happened last week in Arizona."

The conversation occurred just days after Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot and wounded in Tuscon, AZ, and Campbell felt threatened and feared for himself and his family, according to the report.

The investigation was eventually closed in mid-February, when insufficient evidence was found to prosecute Yarber.

"Surrounding circumstances suggest the alleged threat was vague and not a 'serious, deliberate statement of purpose,'" according to a Feb. 15 sheriff's report.

Yarber approached the City Council at its last meeting to ask for an apology from Campbell and Mayor Tom Long.

"I deserve an apology from both of you," she said at the meeting.

In a statement from Yarber in a report filed in early February, Yarber said: "I never threatened him and had no intention of threatening him. ... I specifically asked him, 'Brian, do you think I threatened you?' and he said 'No.' I said 'Good, because I did not threaten you.' "

At the City Council meeting on Feb. 28, Yarber approached the council with a prepared statement. Her words were supported by some audience members and eventually caused such a stir that a recess was taken.

"Councilman Campbell, you have falsely accused me of threatening you and your family," she said. "I believe your tortious conduct was motivated by a desire to silence me because of my vocal and effective opposition to Measure C."

Campbell said he would willingly take a lie detector test to prove his allegations.

In the past weeks leading up to the special election, Campbell has said he welcomes feedback from the community, whether positive or negative.

"The whole situation is unfortunate for the community and the individuals involved," he said. "We owe it to ourselves to do better."

Since the meeting, Long sent an e-mail addressed to Rancho Palos Verdes residents questioning the appropriateness of PVP Watch, a local watchdog site, and Yarber's place in local politics.

"I personally believe (Campbell's) description of events and disbelieve Mrs. Yarber’s carefully scripted response," he said in the e-mail.

Long said he will not respect or associate with people "whose standard of conduct is like that I see from Yarber, (her attorney) and PVP Watch."

"I will do what I can to isolate such people," he said.

Detailed reports on the sheriff's investigation of Yarber are attached to this story.