Maria Ramirez and Victor Rodriguez filed a lawsuit complaining they were reassigned in retaliation for refusing to follow an unlawful directive from the district attorney.
Two veteran Los Angeles County prosecutors have filed a lawsuit alleging they were demoted from their positions as bureau directors in retaliation for complaining about District Attorney George Gascón.
The District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday, March 8, declined to comment on the suit, which was filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court. While leading the Specialized Prosecution Bureau, Ramirez supervised 260 deputy district attorneys assigned to major crimes, sex crimes, community violence reduction, family violence, crimes against peace officers and juvenile divisions. In September 2021, Ramirez was demoted to head deputy of target crimes, where she supervises 11 employees.
“Plaintiff was forced to randomly select only one victim and charge one crime pertaining to that chosen victim,” the lawsuit says. “Plaintiff raised concerns that at trial, if the randomly chosen victim was not available and the case not therefore provable, the case could be dismissed, and the juvenile would have no accountability. All these filings would constitute fraud on the court and, among other things, violate plaintiff’s ethical and prosecutorial obligations under the law.