Former Montebello City Manager Files Lawsuit Alleging Whistleblower Retaliation

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Francesca Tucker-Schuyler served until recently as the city manager for Montebello, CA. However, she was fired in February 2019 in what she claims to have been a case of wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation. She has filed a lawsuit against the city alleging retaliation, discrimination based on sex, failure to prevent discrimination and wrongful termination.

Case background

Tucker-Schuyler had worked for the city since 2010, and had previously raised concerns about how the city handled public works repairs and bidding procedures in 2017. At the time, her concerns were generally ignored, but she continued to research regulations regarding those projects and procedures.

She continued sending multiple emails regarding application of these regulations in the public works bidding processes, and would get few responses even when reporting the city’s alleged violations of those laws. She eventually made these reports to the Montebello police chief and to the District Attorney’s Office and City Attorney’s Office, getting no response from either source.

In November 2017, the City Council decided to place her on administrative leave during a closed session, and then fired her in February 2019. During that interim while she was on administrative leave, the council held several meetings in which the topic of her potential dismissal was included on the agenda. She was never provided the opportunity to speak up regarding her status or potential dismissal. The city gave no official reason for her termination.

There are numerous federal protections in place for whistleblowers. If you believe you have been retaliated against in any way for blowing the whistle on company wrongdoing, contact an experienced whistleblower lawyer at Kardell Law Group for more information about filing your claim.

By Steve Kardell | Published September 24, 2020 | Posted in Employee Rights, Whistleblower Litigation, Wrongful Termination | Tagged bidding procedures, discrimination, employer retaliation

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