by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright December 9, 2002
All Rights Reserved.

oled-up in his North Beach condominium, UC Berkeley law school's 51-year-old dean John P. Dwyer stunned faculty and students with his abrupt resignation, following a sexual "encounter" with a student. According to the student, Dwyer groped her while she was in a drunken stupor. Dwyer claims the event was purely consensual, though resigning his position in disgrace. Proving Freud correct, Dywer's rise and fall gives a textbook case of unconsciously driven behavior. Dwyer began his "love affair" with Boalt Hall after completing a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics at Caltech, realizing pocket protectors and hardcore science wasn't his thing. Seeking more "human" contact, Dwyer enrolled at Boalt Hall, rose quickly to the top, graduated with the highest honors, clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, joined the distinguished faculty and was eventually appointed dean in 2000.

      With sexual scandals commonplace, it's intriguing that Dwyer, a savvy attorney and the dean of one of the nation's most prestigious law schools, would automatically step down under a swirling allegation. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas didn't withdraw his nomination after Anita Hill's shocking revelations. Thomas denied Hill's charges—why didn't Dwyer? June Beltran, Dwyer's 41-year-old third wife and Boalt Hall graduate, gave little insight into her former husband. "It was everything to him, his family, his life," referring to Dwyer's preoccupation with Boalt Hall. Closer to home, Dwyer's brother, Andy, a sex discrimination attorney, wasn't surprised by his brother's conduct. "My first reaction to that was I bet it is sexual harassment," said Andy, pointing a finger to his brother's weakness. "He was really proud of the fact that he could seduce women," implying his brother used his position to indulge his whims.

      Like the Paula Corbin Jones' case against former President Clinton, Dwyer's fans had great difficulty accepting he was capable of sexual assault. Yet some students dubbed Dwyer the "Bill Clinton of Boalt Hall," attesting to his flirtatiousness and rumored peccadillos. Monique Morales, a 31-year-old law student, couldn't believe he committed sexual assault, despite attending student parties at his home. University policy prohibits faculty or administrators from fraternizing with students, calling it a "conflict of interest" when faculty date students in their classes. By most accounts, Dwyer was overly attentive to female students. "A lot of women are attracted to him, and he loves it—people idolize him, and he feeds off of that," said a nameless former student, suggesting that Dwyer craved narcissistic gratification. Henry Kissinger once noted that, "power is the ultimate aphrodisiac."

      Dwyer's abrupt departure suggests that the allegations go beyond flirtation, seduction and consensual sex. Few people in power voluntarily surrender without some type of fight, unless the public exposure and possible repercussions threaten too much damage. It's not credible to believe that Dwyer abruptly resigned from a guilty conscience. More likely, the complaint detailed charges of sexual assault—a felony in California. According to the victim's attorney, Dwyer sexually groped his client while unconscious from alcohol intoxication. "He was caught halfway between generations," said an unnamed adjunct faculty member. "Ten, 20 years ago, professors thought (sleeping with female law students) was one of the perks of the job," as if that explains why Dwyer abandoned all common sense and trashed his career. Growing up in the Midwest, living in a mobile home or being a baby boomer has nothing to do with promiscuity or sexual assault.

      Impulse disorders—those odd conditions where otherwise rational people lose control and commit regrettable acts—afflict individuals with defects in their moral development. Blaming problems on "growing up poor," early child abuse or job stress ignores the central defect in conscience driving inappropriate behavior. When it comes to teaching, there's no excuse for using power differentials to exploit even willing participants. Clinton should have known better when Monica flashed her thong, though Monica never alleged sexual assault. When individuals cross that line there's a price to pay. Dwyer would not have resigned over merely a consensual affair. According to the victim's attorney he systematically stripped her clothing and fondled her when she was unconscious. Narcissists are often likeable, flamboyant and flirtatious. Indulging their whims doesn't develop the restraint needed to learn right from wrong.

      Appealing, beguiling and seductive, John P. Dwyer couldn't handle the temptation of attractive young women falling at his feet. "He had these young, beautiful law students falling all over him. He was warm, charming and witty. But that is different from sexual assault," said June Beltran, Dwyers third wife, as if that explains why her husband wasn't faithful or engaged in inappropriate behavior. Narcissists have difficulty controlling grandiosity, believing they're entitled to special treatment—picking forbidden fruit, whether sex, drugs, shoplifting or even compulsive eating and gambling. "I think it was kind of killing him," said Kate Gordon, an Oakland lawyer and friend who believed that work was getting to him. Every decision that went wrong really affected him. He really loved that school," implying that job stress brought Dwyer down. Narcissists, like alcoholics, don't need much reason to go over the deep end.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's a consultant and expert in strategic communication. He's author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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