Galveston officials: Officer says she set out to seduce ex- police chief

Henry Porretto resigned as Galveston police chief in 2015. Henry Porretto resigned as Galveston police chief in 2015. Photo: Galveston Police Department Photo: Galveston Police Department Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Galveston officials: Officer says she set out to seduce ex- police chief 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

GALVESTON — A woman whose sexual harassment allegations against the former Galveston police chief resulted in his suspension and early retirement bragged to investigators that she set out to seduce him, according to a statement issued by the city on Friday.

The statement said the officer, whose name is withheld because she is an alleged sexual harassment victim, met with a city investigator after making a verbal complaint against then-Police Chief Henry Porretto in September 2015.

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The woman, a sergeant, said in a recorded interview that her sexual encounters with the chief were consensual and "described her sexual relationship with Mr. Porretto as one of conquest," the statement said.

The statement quotes the unnamed woman as saying: "It was more of if I can get him. And I got him, then once it started happening then it started going from the kiss to the oral sex and actual sexual intercourse, then in my mind, you know what, I got him right where I want him."

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The woman's attorney, Scott Armstrong, said the city had not provided him with a copy of the statement and that he needed to read the entire interview. "I think there is more to the story and it will come out through (my client) and also through other women," Armstrong said.

The city suspended Porretto after the woman made the allegations. The city hired an outside law firm to investigate the allegations, but dropped the investigation after Porretto took early retirement.

The woman filed a sexual harassment complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that was served on the city in January this year.

The complaint was revealed after the City Council discussed it in closed session at a recent meeting.