A lately fired California Legislature workers member filed a lawsuit this week in opposition to Meeting Speaker Robert Rivas claiming that the lawmaker and his brother, Rick, retaliated in opposition to her for reporting sexual harassment and alleged ethics violations.
Former press secretary Cynthia Moreno alleged within the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Sacramento County Superior Court docket, that the speaker focused her after she filed a sexual harassment criticism in opposition to a colleague in Could 2024 and stripped her of “vital job obligations.”
Early this yr, Moreno filed one other criticism to the Office Conduct Unit, which investigates allegations of inappropriate conduct by legislative workers, alleging Rick Rivas, a nonprofit group and a political motion committee had “funneled cash” to exert affect on the speaker, in line with the lawsuit.
In response, Moreno alleges within the lawsuit, Rick Rivas used his affect to disclaim her a tenure-based pay elevate and terminate her employment.
Rick Rivas is the American Beverage Assn.’s vice chairman for California and has acted as a political advisor to his brother. Rick Rivas didn’t instantly reply to an e mail looking for remark.
Elizabeth Ashford, a spokesperson for Robert Rivas, stated the speaker’s brother had no function in Moreno’s employment and the lawmaker “recused himself from all issues associated to Moreno’s termination,” which was dealt with by the Office Conduct Unit.
“The huge conspiracy theories included on this submitting are completely false,” Ashford stated in an announcement, including that “any courtroom will see this for what it’s: an try by a former worker to pressure a payout.”
The Meeting Guidelines Committee terminated Moreno in August after an investigation substantiated allegations of sexual harassment that had been lodged in opposition to her, in line with Chief Administrative Officer Lia Lopez. Moreno has denied these allegations.
Moreno is looking for damages for misplaced wages and advantages, misplaced enterprise alternatives and hurt to her skilled status. She’s additionally looking for a public apology for the “made-up sexual-harassment allegations launched in opposition to [her] for reporting Robert Rivas’ and Rick Rivas’ unlawful and unethical actions,” the lawsuit states.
