A female La Verne police officer who sued the city alleging harassment by an acting captain and a sergeant — both males — won a round in court when a judge said he will review the personnel records of the men for possible relevance to the plaintiff’s case.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Randolph M. Hammock issued his ruling Monday in the lawsuit brought by Officer Janessa Gonzalez. Her attorneys contend that the personnel information will assist them in preparing for the depositions of Acting Capt. Cory Leeper and Sgt. Mark Gutierrez, the plaintiff’s two alleged tormenters.
“In the present matter, plaintiff seeks the production of documents that relate directly to the harassment and discrimination plaintiff was forced to endure and whether there was disparate treatment,” Gonzalez’s attorneys state.
Hammock will examine the records in chambers on Nov. 19 and decide which records, if any, should be turned over to Gonzalez’s lawyers. The judge also ordered the two sides to take part in a virtual mandatory settlement conference.
In their previous court papers, attorneys for the city denied Gonzalez’s allegations and stated that any action taken regarding Gonzalez was based on “reasonable factors other than discrimination and/or retaliation.”
The same lawyers also contend that the city is immune from Gonzalez’s claims.
Gonzalez was hired in 2018 and her complaint alleges she has been “subjected to a continuous barrage of sexual comments and advances” from Leeper and Gutierrez. During a briefing, Leeper allegedly commented on Gonzalez’s physique and suggested she work out with him to improve the shape of her posterior.
During another briefing, Leeper asked Gonzales to stand in front of about 30 SWAT officers and model a pair of pants that he had “approved” for her, leaving her “objectified and humiliated,” according to the suit, which also states that Leeper joked to Gonzalez that she “liked switching out new cars just as much as switching out fiances.”
Leeper allegedly also repeatedly contacted Gonzalez after her complaints to the police chief got his appearance canceled at a conference she attended to ask why he was removed, the suit states.
Gonzalez requested a shift change to minimize his contact with Leeper, but he kept his hours aligned with hers, the suit states.
Gonzalez alleges that Gutierrez made comments suggesting that the plaintiff is promiscuous with members of other departments and she also contends he maintained a so-called “cuss jar” where the mention of names of individuals who had been in relationships with Gonzalez resulted in a $1 donation.