Los Angeles County lawyers are proposing a $1.65 million settlement with a county psychologist who alleges she suffered retaliation for her reports of alleged inmate maltreatment and due process violations.
The final resolution of plaintiff Sara Hough’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit is subject to approval by the county Claims Board and the Board of Supervisors.
Hough began working for the county Department of Mental Health in 1997 and worked her way up to be the program head of Mental Health for the women’s jail system in 2007, her suit states. She was transferred in 2011 to the same job at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility and also worked a side job as a forensic psychologist for the county Criminal Court system, where she conducted psychological exams on inmates to determine their competency to stand trial, the suit states.
David Fender became the acting chief of custody in 2013 in charge of the men’s jails, including Twin Towers. While at Twin Towers, Hough saw numerous alleged civil rights violations occurring against the inmates, which she reported to her supervisors, including Fender, the suit filed in December 2018 states.
“Plaintiff would regularly voice concerns and reports to Chief Fender at meetings, outlining inmate maltreatment and due process violations,” the suit states. “These reports continued and Chief Fender did not appreciate or take kindly to the reports.”
In March 2015, an Office of Inspector General investigation into Hough began after an anonymous complaint was filed against her, according to the suit, which further states that Hough alleges that the complaint was connected to Fender and other jail personnel.
Hough was placed on an administrative leave because of the investigation that lasted three years, then in September 2015 she was demoted and the probe resulted in her being suspended for five days, the suit states.
Hough has suffered lost income, damage to her reputation and experienced emotional distress, according to her suit.