LA County Fire Department Sex Harassment Claims Close to Settlement

Posted by: Curt Varone January 6, 2010 0

The Los Angeles Daily News reported on Monday, that the Los Angeles County Claims Board was meeting to consider settling two Los Angeles County Fire Department lawsuits arising out of sexual harassment that occurred in 2003. Reportedly, Mary Villegas, who was assigned to the department’s  hazardous materials facility in Sylmar, was harassed by two inspectors and a supervisor. Milton Molina, a fire inspector, observed what he referred to as repeated acts of sexual harassment, taunting and a sexually hostile work environment directed toward Villegas, and stood up for her. Molina claims that afterwards he was retaliated against.

In separate lawsuits, Villegas and Molina sued the County, Villegas alleging sexual harassment and Molina alleging retaliation. The Daily News is quoting court documents as putting the Molina settlement at $150,000 and the Villegas settlement at $325,000.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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