In a lawsuit brought by Linda Baek, a longtime Los Angeles County prosecutor, it was stated that she was repeatedly harassed and denied promotions by individuals within the office. The judge, Douglas W. Stern, indicated in a tentative ruling that he is inclined to dismiss the remaining two claims of the lawsuit.
Judge Stern, after hearing arguments from lawyers, took the case under submission. In the tentative ruling, he stated that Baek has not provided evidence linking the failure to promote her with a “protected activity,” which refers to conduct that workers can engage in without fear of retaliation.
Stern further mentioned that if there was no retaliation, the claim for failure to prevent harassment, discrimination, and retaliation would be moot.
Baek filed the lawsuit in May 2021, alleging that she was subjected to a coordinated pattern of continuing violations after she complained of sexual harassment by a co-worker in 2014.
According to Baek’s sworn declaration, other deputy district attorneys who are not promoted receive feedback and coaching to help them achieve future promotions. However, Baek claims that she has never received such feedback or coaching.
Despite Baek’s hope for positive changes with the election of District Attorney George Gascon, the alleged pattern of retaliation by county Human Resource Departments and the District Attorney’s Office has destroyed her once-promising career, according to the lawsuit.
From 1995 to 2014, Baek had a positive career track with favorable assignments and promotions. She even served in the hate crimes unit along with future District Attorney Jackie Lacey.
In 2014, Baek encountered Bob Knapp, a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer working as a juvenile case hearing officer in the district attorney’s Long Beach branch. In their first meeting, Knapp made inappropriate comments and allegedly touched Baek inappropriately in her office.
When Baek reported the incident to her supervisor, her claims were minimized and no action was taken, according to the lawsuit.
This alleged failure to address Knapp’s conduct started a pattern of suppression and retaliation that has supposedly destroyed Baek’s career.
After returning from a year-long family leave in 2015, Baek was demoted to handling preliminary hearings, a role typically assigned to new lawyers.
Later, she was moved to the post-conviction and discovery unit led by Deputy District Attorney Brian Schirn. Baek claims that this move was intended to further harm her career.
In the suit, it is mentioned that Schirn had significant influence due to his connection with Joey Esposito, Lacey’s second-in-command. Baek believes that Schirn orchestrated her downfall and spread false rumors about her.
Despite filing complaints about her treatment and others filing complaints on her behalf, no investigations were conducted, according to the lawsuit.
In April 2021, Baek received a letter stating that she is the subject of an administrative investigation regarding alleged policy and rule violations. Baek sees this as another attempt to destroy her career and retaliate against her.
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