A second female prosecutor has won a multimillion-dollar judgment against Orange County after a jury found she faced retaliation from District Attorney Todd Spitzer when she reported sexual harassment within his office.
Bethel Cope-Vega was awarded $3.5 million on Tuesday after jurors determined the county failed to “take reasonable steps to prevent and correct workplace harassment,” according to Voice of OC. This verdict follows former prosecutor Tracy Miller’s $3 million award last June in a similar case.
Cope-Vega was one of eight women who reported harassment from Gary LoGalbo, a former top prosecutor nicknamed “Scary Gary” who served as best man at Spitzer’s wedding. According to court documents, LoGalbo told Cope-Vega “he dreamt of her and that she was naked in his dreams,” would burst into her office hoping to “catch her undressing,” and called her late at night to ask what she was wearing.
While a county HR investigation substantiated the women’s claims against LoGalbo, multiple lawsuits allege Spitzer and other leaders retaliated against those who reported the harassment.
“Mr. Spitzer, himself, accused Mr. LoGalbo’s victims of being ‘dishonest’ and tried to have one of them written-up,” Cope-Vega’s lawyers wrote in court filings. “He chastised and was dismissive of other employees for their role in the investigation.”
The district attorney’s office has deflected blame onto County Counsel Leon Page, with spokesperson Kimberly Edds claiming Page “publicly humiliate[d] and victim-shame[d] these women by deeming the confidential report a public document.”
These cases represent just part of the mounting legal troubles facing Spitzer’s administration. Two other women settled harassment lawsuits with the county last year for a combined $1.3 million, and four similar cases remain pending. Additionally, the county paid $2 million to settle claims from former investigator Damon Tucker, who alleged Spitzer quashed a money laundering investigation.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors has stripped Spitzer’s office of human resources oversight, transferring HR positions to county management following the verdicts. However, critics argue county leaders haven’t done enough to address the pattern of harassment.
“The Board’s inaction has sent a clear message… that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation when engaged in by politically well-connected men will be tolerated by the current members of the Board of Supervisors,” Cope-Vega’s lawyers wrote.
Altogether, Orange County has disclosed over $11 million in spending over the past two years defending against claims related to Spitzer’s conduct.
Cope-Vega, who was named California District Attorneys’ Association Prosecutor of the Year in 2025, continues to work as the county’s child abuse prosecutor despite the harassment she endured.
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