San Fernando Police Chief Accused Of Misconduct On Leave

SAN FERNANDO (CBS) — The San Fernando police chief, accused of having a sexual relationship with a much younger cadet, was on leave today, pending an investigation into the alleged affair.

The Daily News reported that in a letter to the City Council last month, former police explorer and cadet Maria Barajas, 22, wrote that she had a sexual relationship beginning in 2008 with Anthony Ruelas, who was then a lieutenant.

"During the course of that relationship, Ruelas and I exchanged approximately 1,500 e-mails and over 1,000 text messages," Barajas wrote.

The interim city administrator, Al Hernandez, issued a statement Friday that said Ruelas was put on leave in connection with the alleged relationship, but said the city would not immediately release any other information.

"As this is a confidential personnel matter, no further details can be discussed at this time," Hernandez wrote.

Barajas said Ruelas, 49, started urging her to find another job in the summer of 2009.

Barajas said the affair with Ruelas started in November 2008 and she was later fired unfairly in connection with a car accident involving other cadets, Daily News reported.

The newspaper reported that while she was not driving, Barajas alleged that Ruelas and Lt. Jeff Eley determined she was at fault because she was the oldest person in the vehicle.

Barajas said she was given the chance to resign or be fired. She said she chose to resign, but then-Chief Robert Ordelheide issued a memo, saying she was fired, the Daily News reported.

Ruelas, the married father of three, was elevated to chief in August.

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