A former First 5 Riverside employee has sued Riverside County and its public health officer, who she has accused of sexual harassment.
Pamela Luna, hired almost a year ago as a First 5 department manager, said she was fired earlier this month. She filed her lawsuit April 27 in Riverside County Superior Court.
She is seeking compensation for lost wages and benefits and mental and emotional distress, according to the lawsuit.
An Oct. 27 hearing has been scheduled.
Luna’s lawsuit also accuses the county and Dr. Eric Frykman of gender discrimination, retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
First 5 is a county agency that funds early childhood organizations and programs. Frykman is a commissioner on the First 5 Riverside commission.
Attorneys representing the county and Frykman filed their response to Luna’s lawsuit on Aug. 2. The response states that Luna didn’t tell Frykman that his alleged conduct was unwelcome and failed to use the county’s harassment complaint procedures. Frykman’s alleged actions also don’t meet state definitions of harassment, according to the response. Read more about the details of this sexual harassment lawsuit.
