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California Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías sued by former staffer
Pa’tanisha Davis Pierson, a former district director for Democratic Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías, has filed a lawsuit against the lawmaker and the California Assembly. The suit, filed in Contra Costa Superior Court, alleges racial discrimination and whistleblower retaliation.
Davis Pierson claims she faced retaliation after reporting to human resources that a staff member was performing campaign work on state time. She further alleges that Ávila Farías stripped her of responsibilities and engaged in racial discrimination by assigning Black staff and interns less desirable work and yelling at them. The complaint also mentions an “unwanted hug” received prior to Davis Pierson’s resignation in April.
Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that the Assembly’s human resources department retaliated by refusing to accommodate medical leave and hybrid schedule requests. On November 3, the Assembly’s Workplace Conduct Unit opened an investigation into the allegations. Ávila Farías has issued a statement vigorously denying the allegations and expressed pride in the diversity of her staff.
Entities
Anamarie Ávila Farías · California Assembly · Contra Costa Superior Court · Pa’tanisha Davis Pierson
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Pa’tanisha Davis Pierson filed a lawsuit against Anamarie Ávila Farías and the California Assembly in Contra Costa Superior Court. www.rwcpulse.com · www.almanacnews.com · calmatters.org
- [● 3 SOURCES] Anamarie Ávila Farías denies the allegations and intends to defend against them. www.rwcpulse.com · www.almanacnews.com · calmatters.org
- [● 3 SOURCES] The lawsuit includes allegations of racial discrimination involving the treatment of Black staff and interns. www.rwcpulse.com · www.almanacnews.com · calmatters.org
- [● 3 SOURCES] Davis Pierson alleges she was retaliated against after reporting a staff member was performing campaign work on state time. www.rwcpulse.com · www.almanacnews.com · calmatters.org
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Assembly’s Workplace Conduct Unit opened an investigation into the allegations on November 3. www.rwcpulse.com · www.almanacnews.com · calmatters.org