- California Mayor Sues City for $7.5M, Continues Election Bid
- Deborah Robertson, 73, has been mayor of Rialto, California, since 2012, a city of just over 100,000 people.
- She filed three separate claims against the city last year, alleging age and racial discrimination, invasion of privacy, and improper handling of her retirement fund, with a total liability she estimated at $7,482,000.
- Despite suing for $7,482,000 and taking her own administration to court in two lawsuits, Robertson is still running for re-election.
Deborah Robertson, the mayor of Rialto, California, a city east of Los Angeles with a population of over 100,000, has sparked controversy by suing her own city for $7.5 million while still running for re-election. This legal action comes amidst allegations of racial and age discrimination, privacy invasion, and improper management of her retirement fund, totaling an estimated $7,482,000 in liability.
Robertson, who has been in office since 2012, claims that the city did not provide her with a special security door for active shooter situations, unlike her white colleague, and that she was given the wrong type of pension. Additionally, she alleges that the city’s police department looked her up in their database without a valid reason, and failed to arrange ergonomic furniture following a car accident in 2019.
The lawsuits, filed last year, have been met with mixed reactions on the internet, with some questioning the timing and motives behind the legal actions. Critics argue that Robertson’s focus on these lawsuits may detract from her responsibilities as mayor, with concerns raised about her leadership and the direction of the city.
Councilman Rafael Trujillo, who is challenging Robertson for the mayoral position, criticizes her for being embroiled in lawsuits and losing sight of the city’s direction. He questions whether she is prioritizing taxpayer interests or seeking personal gains.
Councilman Ed Scott, who has worked closely with Robertson, defends her against the allegations, stating that she has been accommodated when she had issues and that the claims about the security door and police snooping are not supported by the facts. Scott also points out that Robertson’s claim of $6 million for police snooping is surprising, given her political stance and the lack of evidence against her.
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