Discrimination, Retaliation and Harassment Lawsuit Filed Against LA City Councilmember Jose Huizar

SAY WHAT?

INTEL REPORT--A civil lawsuit was filed yesterday against Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar, as well as against the City of Los Angeles, by Mayra Alvarez, Huizar’s former Executive Assistant and Scheduler, alleging that Huizar harassed and retaliated against her for speaking out about some of his and his office’s practices that she believed violated local, state, and federal laws. (Photo above: Huizar at podium.)

Mrs. Alvarez also alleges that Huizar demoted her following Mrs. Alvarez’s return from maternity leave, a violation of state and federal laws prohibiting employers from punishing working women on account of pregnancy and for taking time off to recover from delivery and bond with their newborn.

The case was filed in the Central Division of the Los Angeles County Superior Court and assigned case number 18STCV01722.

Mrs. Alvarez’s lawsuit comes on the heels of the disclosure in recent weeks of another complaint of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation filed against Huizar through the MyVoiceLA, Mayor Eric Garcetti’s new website for staffers, city commissioners, and others to report workplace bias, retaliation and sexual harassment. Mrs. Alvarez’s lawsuit is unrelated to that complaint.

Huizar was previously sued in 2013 for sexual harassment by another former staffer, Francine Godoy.

(Mrs. Alvarez is represented by Terrence Jones, a former Assistant United States Attorney. Please direct all inquiries to Mr. Jones at (213) 863-4490,[email protected].)

-cw