St. Louis police official wants trial to clear his name

ST. LOUIS -- An assistant St. Louis police chief accused of sexual harassment says he wants a police board trial so he can clear his name.

Assistant police chief Everett Page, accused this year of sexual harassment by five female officers, was taken off suspension for one day last week, then resuspended by police chief Joe Mokwa. While he was off suspension, Page took sick leave, which could secure him his maximum pension.

"I want the police board trial," Page told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I want to clear my name. I've got to restore my reputation. I want the truth to be known."

Last month Page, a 40-year police veteran, was placed on indefinite administrative suspension pending a trial by the board.

The trial had been set for Aug. 14, but Page's lawyer, Neil Bruntrager, sought a continuance because he had 19 depositions to take, he said Monday. The trial is now scheduled for Oct. 22.

Bruntrager said virtually all the accusations against Page are at least 20 years old and lack corroborative evidence to support them.

Page said he took sick leave because he and his family are undergoing a lot of stress.