The recently fired California Legislature staff filed a lawsuit against Congress President Robert Rivas this week, claiming that the lawmaker and his brother Rick have retaliated against her for reporting sexual harassment and alleged violations of the code of ethics.
Former press secretary Cynthia Moreno claimed Tuesday in a lawsuit filed in the Sacramento County Superior Court that the speaker targeted her and deprived her of “important job duties” after filing a sexual harassment complaint against her colleague in May 2024.
Moreno filed another complaint with the workplace conduct department earlier this year, which investigated allegations of wrongdoing by legislative employees, alleging that nonprofit Rick Rivas and a political action committee “collected funds” to exert influence on speakers.
In response, Moreno claimed in the lawsuit that Rick Rivas used his influence to deny her tenure-based raise and terminated her job.
Rick Rivas is California vice president of the American Beverage Ass and serves as political consultant to his brothers. Rick Rivas did not immediately respond to an email seeking comments.
Robert Rivas spokesman Elizabeth Ashford said the Speaker’s brother had no role in Moreno’s work, and the lawmakers “withdrew themselves from all matters related to Moreno’s termination, which was handled by the workplace behavior department.
“The extensive conspiracy theories contained in this document are absolutely wrong,” Ashford said in a statement.
Chief Executive Officer Lia Lopez said the Congress Rules Committee terminated Moreno in August, confirming the allegations of sexual harassment against her. Moreno denied the allegations.
Moreno is seeking damages for lost wages and benefits, business opportunities, and damage to her professional reputation. She also seeks a public apology for “against allegations of sexual harassment against sexual intercourse [her] The lawsuit states that illegal and immoral actions by Robert Rivas and Rick Rivas are to be reported. ”
