LUSD board member sues county district attorney

STOCKTON — Ronald Freitas, a current member of the Lodi Unified School District’s board and a former San Joaquin County assistant district attorney, has filed a civil lawsuit against District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar, alleging age and gender discrimination, defamation and false imprisonment during a series of events that led to his termination one year ago.

“Defendant Verber Salazar’s conduct was despicable and she acted with knowing disregard because as the District Attorney of San Joaquin County she is charged with enforcing the law and protecting all of the citizens of San Joaquin County, so she was aware of the likely harmful consequences of her conduct, and she deliberately failed to avoid those consequences,” the 24-page complaint filed by Stockton-based attorney Scott Malm says.

The District Attorney’s Office posted Freitas’ complaint on its Facebook page Tuesday night, along with a statement.

The statement says, in part, “The District Attorney has not been formally served with the lawsuit. This brief statement is being made in accordance with the District Attorney’s policy of transparency and continued efforts to build trust with the community. The District Attorney denies all allegations and unsubstantiated characterizations made in the lawsuit. This matter is an internal employment matter and much of the process that has occurred is subject to certain restrictions . ... At the legally appropriate time ... the District Attorney will respond to each of the claims in accordance with legal process.”

An initial court hearing in the suit, in which the 57-year-old Freitas seeks damages in excess of $25,000, is Dec. 24.