A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department lieutenant sued his employer and Sheriff Robert Luna Monday, alleging Luna has formed a “hit squad” with administration members to retaliate against department members like the plaintiff who supported the previous sheriff, Alex Villanueva..
Lt. Shawn O’Donnell’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges whistleblower retaliation, discrimination, harassment and violations of the state Labor Code. He seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
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, O’Donnell’s court papers state.
“Under Luna’s administration, systemic retaliation, harassment and race-based discrimination have thrived in the LASD,” according to O’Donnell’s court papers. “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.
An sheriff’s department representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
According to the suit and a claim filed as a forerunner of O’Donnell’s legal action, the 44-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.