News Summary
Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, ex-chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party, has filed a lawsuit against California State Board of Equalization member Michael Schaefer and his former chief of staff, Gary Gartner. The suit alleges sexual harassment, workplace discrimination, and retaliation during Rodriguez-Kennedy’s employment. Accusations include fostering a sexually charged environment and threats to job security. Rodriguez-Kennedy claims he was terminated after raising complaints about the workplace atmosphere. A court hearing regarding a motion to dismiss the case is scheduled.
San Diego – Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, former chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party, has filed a lawsuit against California State Board of Equalization member Michael Schaefer, accusing him of sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. The lawsuit, lodged in May, also includes the California State Board of Equalization and Schaefer’s former chief of staff, Gary Gartner, as defendants.
Rodriguez-Kennedy’s complaint claims that both Schaefer and Gartner fostered a “sexually charged workplace” during his employment as Schaefer’s assistant starting in January 2021. The lawsuit alleges that employees were pressured to influence votes within the Democratic Party and details numerous inappropriate incidents, including Gartner’s questioning about Rodriguez-Kennedy’s sexual preferences and comments about the looks of other men.
According to the document, the dual nature of the harassment combined sexual undertones with threats to Rodriguez-Kennedy’s job security. Gartner allegedly threatened job loss if Rodriguez-Kennedy declined to adhere to inappropriate requests, including non-work-related tasks like collecting laundry from his home.
Further complicating the matter, Rodriguez-Kennedy contends that he was directed to mislead others regarding a racist meme posted by Schaefer on social media, with instructions to “take the fall” due to being the only person of color on the staff. Following complaints concerning the workplace environment, Rodriguez-Kennedy claims he faced retaliation and was terminated on May 16, 2022.
Rodriguez-Kennedy received a right-to-sue letter from the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing in April 2023, paving the way for his lawsuit. A court hearing related to a motion to dismiss, filed by Schaefer, is set for August 29, 2023.
Background of the Case
Michael Schaefer, an established figure in California politics, has held his position on the California State Board of Equalization for numerous terms and was previously elected to the San Diego City Council in 1965. Despite being one of the oldest state elected officials, Schaefer denies having any knowledge of the claims against him, stating there were “no problems” with either Rodriguez-Kennedy or Gartner during their working relationship.
The lawsuit is not Rodriguez-Kennedy’s first encounter with controversy. In 2022, he faced allegations from a former boyfriend, Oscar Rendon, leading to a dimension of personal turmoil. Although criminal charges were never filed, the lawsuit from Rendon was subsequently dropped. Recently, both Rodriguez-Kennedy and Rendon publicly reconciled, clarifying that the earlier allegations were rooted in misunderstandings and political manipulation. Additionally, Rodriguez-Kennedy has maintained his innocence concerning the accusations, which he states have caused him considerable personal distress. Court records confirm that the civil case filed by Rendon has been dismissed, and all future proceedings have been vacated.
Current Status
Currently, Rodriguez-Kennedy is working as a field representative for Representative Scott Peters and serves as a county civil service commissioner. The upcoming court hearing regarding Schaefer’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit will be pivotal in determining the future of these allegations. As the legal proceedings unfold, the accusations bring significant attention to workplace culture, accountability, and the repercussions of alleged harassment in political environments.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Wikipedia: Sexual Harassment
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Google Search: California State Board of Equalization
- Mercury News
- Google Scholar: Workplace Harassment California
- Newsweek
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Workplace Discrimination
