Ex-Playboy Playmate Christine Richters — who was working for a politician in Southern California as an aide before she was fired — has settled a wrongful termination lawsuit for $150,000. According to the woman’s lawsuit, she was forced to endure a stressful work environment that involved unrealistic demands from her boss, County Supervisor Todd Spitzer.
As causes of action in the lawsuit, the woman alleged harassment, disability discrimination and retaliation. The county ultimately settled the woman’s lawsuit, saying that it did so because of technical issues about overtime and at-will employment. The county claimed that the settlement was a business decision that it made in an effort to prevent further lawsuits.
According to Richters’ attorneys, however, she was subjected to a high-stress work environment because, besides the unrealistic demands on his employees, the supervisor had a raging temper that he directed at his employees. The suit claimed that Spitzer governed his office through fear and aggression. It also claiimed that the man’s temper led Richters to develop health problems that included depression, hair loss and weight loss. Although the woman tried to transfer, she was advised that the only way she could leave was to be fired.
The county must pay her the settlement on or before Oct. 17, 2017.
Employees in California are mistreated all the time, and in many cases, they are wrongfully terminated, they lose their job and they never get justice. However, an employee who knows his or her employment rights doesn’t have to put up with this kind of injustice. If you were let go from your job, and you’re not sure if it was a lawful termination, an employment law attorney can assist you in determining your legal rights and options.
Source: Bloomberg BNA, “Ex-Playmate, Aide to Calif. Politician Gets $150K After Firing,” David McAfee, Sep. 27, 2017
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