Former LASD psychologist says work conditions forced resignation

A former Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department psychologist has expanded her lawsuit against the county and the department, not only alleging that she suffered a backlash for complaining about alleged gender discrimination, but that she was also ultimately forced to quit this month because of intolerable work conditions.

Plaintiff Christine Jones' original Los Angeles Superior Court suit was filed Oct. 13, alleging retaliation, gender discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The alleged backlash included leaving a dead rat in her work parking space and a deceased rabbit in her home's driveway.

On Thursday, Jones filed an amended complaint for constructive discharge, saying she had no alternative other than to submit her resignation, which was effective Thursday as well.

In their court papers, county attorneys state that Jones' suit should be dismissed, in part because her claims are barred by the statute of limitations. The defense lawyers also contend the county has immunity from her allegations.

Jones was hired by the county in May 2007 and is one of a select group of people nationwide with a deep expertise in police psychology, according to her suit filed Thursday. Until April 2020, she was employed in the LASD's Psychological Services Bureau, part of the LASD's Personnel Command. She served for several months that year as the bureau's acting director and prior to that was the assistant director, in which she was responsible for clinical and administrative supervision of sworn and civilian staff as well as 24-hour, on- call responses for critical incidents and other high-profile events, the amended suit states.

In 2018, an LASD industrial/organizational consultant with close ties to former Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other LASD executives “took initial actions, along with other male employees, to destroy the career of plaintiff and her female colleague, Dr. Jennifer Hunt,” the revised suit alleges.

“Ultimately, the end goal was to ensure that the PSB was dominated and controlled by male employees, particularly in supervisory roles which plaintiff held because of her impeccable experience and skill,” the updated suit alleges.

I/O consultants filed 19 “frivolous and retaliatory” complaints against Jones that falsely accused her of wrongful conduct, the majority of which were closed with no finding of wrongdoing, and eight of which are apparently still pending with no investigation, according to the revised suit.

Jones' complaints to management about the alleged disparate treatment were ignored, the amended suit states.

In November 2019, someone left a dead rat in her work parking spot and a deceased rabbit was placed in the driveway of her home, the updated suit states.

Jones went on medical leave in April 2020 because of stress and that same year she was reassigned to the coroner's office, a move that has “destroyed and crippled” her chances of advancing within her field as a psychologist, the revised suit states.