Local Politics · Concord, CA
Lawsuit Alleges Discrimination, Retaliation in Concord Assembly Office
Pa'tanisha Davis Pierson, a former district director for Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías' Concord office, filed a lawsuit on Oct. 21 in Contra Costa Superior Court alleging racial discrimination and whistleblower retaliation. Davis Pierson claims she was stripped of duties after reporting to Assembly HR that a staff member performed campaign work on state time, and alleges the lawmaker yelled at Black staff and gave them less desirable assignments. The Assembly's Workplace Conduct Unit opened an investigation into the allegations on Nov. 3. Ávila Farías denied the claims in a statement, saying she will defend against them through legal process.