Alleged DMV groper nabbed

As first reported in the Daily Journal Oct. 29, the 37-year-old Department of Motor Vehicles employee was accused of fondling a girl during a behind-the-wheel driving test on Oct. 27. Upon further investigation, police identified another six victims who reportedly experienced the same kind of harassment.

From July to October, Cat allegedly fondled six teenaged girls and one boy. The majority of them were 16 years old and one was just over 18, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

Cat was booked in San Mateo County Jail and immediately posted $50,000 bail Sunday afternoon. He will be arraigned in San Mateo County Superior Court on Dec. 22. He faces up to one year in jail for each victim, but what he gets sentenced to depends on his conduct in court and the harm inflicted on the victims, Wagstaffe said.

"We've had people who've done improper assault like this, but never at the DMV before," Wagstaffe said.

Cat was placed on administrative leave Thursday, Oct. 28 as soon as management found out about the investigation, DMV spokesman Bill Branch told the Daily Journal.

In addition to the criminal investigation, the DMV is also conducting its own probe into the alleged misconduct. If the DMV finds he did make inappropriate advances toward the girls, a number of disciplinary actions could be imposed, including dismissal, Branch said.

All DMV employees are required to pass full background checks and sexual harassment prevention training. Employees who conduct behind the wheel driving tests are instructed on how not to engage in personal conversation and how to "avoid even the appearance of inappropriate behavior," Branch said.

While complaints like this have been reported to the DMV in the past, they are rare. In the past four years, only one other report was filed, Branch said.

Cat has been asked to stay away from the building at 300 Brewster Avenue in Redwood City until an investigation is complete, Branch added.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com