A judge has indicated that he plans to dismiss the remaining two claims in a lawsuit brought by a longtime prosecutor in Los Angeles County. The prosecutor, Linda Baek, filed the lawsuit against the county, alleging repeated harassment and denied promotions by individuals within the office who she believed were trying to ruin her career.
During a hearing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Douglas W. Stern listened to arguments from lawyers regarding Baek’s allegations of retaliation and failure to prevent harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Based on his 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.
According to the judge’s ruling, if there was no retaliation, the claim for failure to prevent harassment, discrimination, and retaliation would be irrelevant.
Baek filed the lawsuit in May 2021, claiming she was subjected to a coordinated pattern of ongoing violations since she reported sexual harassment by a coworker in 2014.
In a sworn declaration, Baek stated, “I have never been provided any feedback or coaching, unlike other deputy district attorneys who don’t receive promotions they applied for but are given guidance by senior attorneys to help them achieve future promotions.”
Baek had hoped for positive changes with the election of District Attorney George Gascon, but she alleges that the same individuals in the county’s Human Resource Departments and the District Attorney’s Office have continued the pattern of retaliation, which has negatively impacted her career.
From the time Baek was hired in April 1995 until 2014, she had a successful career track, receiving favorable assignments and promotions. She even worked in the five-lawyer hate crimes unit along with future District Attorney Jackie Lacey.
In 2014, Baek encountered Bob Knapp, a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer who was working as a juvenile case hearing officer in the district attorney’s Long Beach branch. According to the lawsuit, Knapp made inappropriate comments and touched Baek inappropriately, leading her to file a complaint with her supervisor, who failed to take any action.
This alleged failure to address Knapp’s conduct marked the beginning of a pattern of suppression and retaliation that has negatively impacted Baek’s career with the District Attorney’s office.
After returning from a year-long family leave to care for her daughter’s medical condition in August 2015, Baek was demoted to handling preliminary hearings, a role typically assigned to new lawyers. She was later transferred to a unit where she claims she faced further career destruction and abusive treatment from Deputy District Attorney Brian Schirn.
Schirn had a close friendship with Joey Esposito, Lacey’s second-in-command, which allegedly gave him leverage in manipulating the careers of others. Baek believes Schirn orchestrated a false rumor about her having an extramarital affair with another office employee.
Baek and others filed complaints about her mistreatment, but they were all suppressed without investigation. In April 2021, Baek received a letter stating that she was under investigation for policy violations, which she believes is another attempt to destroy her career and retaliate against her.
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