Former Prosecutor Secures Multimillion-Dollar Harassment Settlement in Orange County
Jury Awards $3.5 Million to Retired Prosecutor in Harassment Suit Against Orange County
A San Diego County jury has awarded $3.5 million to Bethel Cope-Vega, a retired prosecutor, in her lawsuit against Orange County. The verdict, reached on Tuesday, centers on claims of harassment involving a former high-ranking official in the District Attorney’s Office.
After deliberating for approximately half a day, the jury returned their decision shortly before lunchtime. Cope-Vega’s allegations include misconduct by Gary LoGalbo, a former prosecutor and close associate of Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. LoGalbo, who was best man at Spitzer’s wedding, retired amid a harassment investigation and has since passed away.
This ruling comes on the heels of another victory for a former colleague, Tracy Miller, who successfully sued the county last year. Miller alleged she was compelled to retire due to ongoing harassment from Spitzer and his former assistant, Shawn Nelson, who has since become an Orange County Superior Court judge. Her case concluded with a $3 million award for economic damages, along with an additional $25,000 in punitive damages from Spitzer. Following Miller’s case, her attorneys received $1.5 million in fees, contributing to a total financial liability for the county of approximately $9.3 million, factoring in past settlements for other prosecutors.
The county, represented by Sheppard Mullin, had previously considered a settlement of around $6 million to resolve all pending cases but opted for litigation after the Board of Supervisors rejected the proposal in August 2021. All cases were transferred to San Diego to avoid conflicts of interest due to the involvement of Spitzer and Nelson.
Miller’s lawsuit claimed she faced a hostile work environment after attempting to support younger prosecutors who reported LoGalbo’s alleged harassment. In May 2021, attorney Elisabeth A. Frater submitted a comprehensive report validating the harassment allegations, detailing numerous accounts of inappropriate comments made by LoGalbo. Following the report’s release, Spitzer faced backlash for allegedly exposing the identities of Miller and other accusers. Frater later found that this action violated county policies.
In an official statement, Kimberly Edds, spokesperson for the District Attorney’s Office, affirmed their commitment to supporting victims of harassment. She condemned the actions of county counsel for mishandling confidential information, stating, "This verdict is about the harassment engaged in by a former senior assistant deputy district attorney; it is also a condemnation of the actions of county counsel."
Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner noted that the county’s legal team identified issues with evidence handling during the trial. "I’m not prepared to say what we’ll do in response," Wagner stated, while expressing doubt that damages awarded were reflective of the situation since none of the employees lost their jobs. He indicated that the board may consider an appeal.
In her lawsuit, Cope-Vega described a work environment rife with sexual harassment, claiming LoGalbo frequently made inappropriate comments regarding her appearance, including remarks about her clothing and undergarments. She further alleged that he would call her at night to inquire about her attire.
As these cases continue to unfold, the implications of the jury’s verdict echo concerns over workplace harassment and the responsibilities of leadership in creating a safe work environment.
