PBS Video: Lawsuit Claims Major Harassment Problems in County Government

This week on PBS SoCaL, we delve into a lawsuit alleging that the county’s 17,000 employees work in a toxic environment of sexual harassment and discrimination, fueled by a decades-long practice of pushing political aides into the county’s bureaucracy.

The suit was filed by Paula Kitchen, the county’s former equal employment opportunity official, who is the third high-ranking female executive to level charges against the county alleging systematic workplace harassment.

We also discuss:

Another lawsuit from a county human resources official, Kathleen Tahilramani, alleging that the county has a dysfunctional system for reporting workplace harassment and other issues.
Consultant reports showing that Disney successfully pushed for changes that significantly boosted the projected cost of a $319-million taxpayer-funded streetcar project in Anaheim.
New Santa Ana City Manager David Cavazos’ $500,000-plus yearly compensation from local taxpayers, plus a six-figure annual pension from Phoenix.
Questions over whether an exclusive barbecue for the entire Orange County Fire Authority board of directors just before their public meeting violates the state’s open-meetings law.

Voice of OC’s weekly news segments are broadcast on PBS SoCaL Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m.

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