LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Attorneys for Los Angeles County have responded to a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit filed by a Sheriff’s Department lieutenant who alleges Sheriff Robert Luna has formed a “hit squad” against those who supported former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, saying Luna has never met the plaintiff.
Lt. Shawn O’Donnell’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit allegations also include sexual and racial harassment, both of which are challenged in new court papers filed by county attorneys on Nov. 18.
“O’Donnell cryptically claims that at the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station, the captain of the station showed pictures of her breasts to plaintiff, but that is about all that is alleged in this respect as to alleged sexual harassment,” the county attorneys state in their pleadings. “There is no claim that she made inappropriate sexual comments, that she made any type of graphic gestures or sexual innuendos or that anything happened to his employment because of his gender.”
O’Donnell, who is white, also alleges that Chavez, a Latina, racially harassed him, but states no allegations as to how, according to the county’s lawyers’ court papers.
The county attorneys further state in their court papers that what is more “mystifying” is O’Donnell’s allegation that Luna’s chief of staff, a white male, also sexually harassed him while once again providing no concrete facts.
In addition, O’Donnell makes no allegations that he interacted with Luna or that the sheriff even knew who he is, according to the county attorneys’ court papers.
According to O’Donnell’s suit filed last Dec. 11, Luna and members of his administration have formed a “hit squad” to retaliate against Villanueva backers within their department and they have been supported by the Board of Supervisors.
“Under Luna’s administration, systemic retaliation, harassment and race-based discrimination have thrived in the LASD,” O’Donnell’s court papers state. “Luna and his loyalists, including key members of his transition team, have targeted individuals seen as former Sheriff Villanueva’s allies and those defending against claims of public corruption linked to Luna’s political backers.”
O’Donnell believes his chances for career advancement have been “adversely affected and irreparably harmed,” the plaintiff’s court papers state.
According to the suit and a claim filed as a forerunner of O’Donnell’s legal action, the 45-year-old plaintiff was a vocal and known proponent of Villanueva in the months before the Nov. 8, 2022 election.
O’Donnell participated in several Villanueva campaign events, appeared on television on the incumbent’s behalf, volunteered at the Villanueva campaign headquarters and posted videos in support of Villanueva on the social media, according to the plaintiff’s court papers.
O’Donnell was also outspoken about his criticisms of Luna, the retired Long Beach Police Department chief who defeated Villanueva in the incumbent’s reelection bid, O’Donnell’s court papers state.
A month before the election, O’Donnell was transferred from the East Los Angeles Station to the Narcotics Bureau, Detective Division, with an effective date of Dec. 11, 2022, the plaintiff’s court papers state.
However, shortly after Luna was elected, O’Donnell was notified that Luna was cancelling his move to the Narcotics Bureau, O’Donnell’s court papers state.
O’Donnell was not given an explanation why his transfer and that of another Villanueva supporter were stopped by Luna, so he filed a grievance alleging political retaliation and a claim with the state, the plaintiff’s court papers further state.
“Mr. O’Donnell was singled out by the sheriff’s department for supporting the incumbent sheriff and criticizing the new sheriff and his transfer was cancelled by the new sheriff as a result of political retaliation,” the plaintiff’s court papers state.
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