A former employee of a prestigious California institution has filed a lawsuit alleging severe workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and wrongful termination. On September 30, 2024, Arturo Cortez lodged a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, against The Regents of the University of California.
The complaint outlines a series of troubling allegations against Cortez's former employer. According to the document, Cortez was hired on January 9, 2023, as a Certified Medical Dosimetrist at the University of California, San Francisco's radiation and oncology department. His employment was abruptly terminated on September 8, 2023. During his tenure, Cortez claims he faced multiple violations of labor laws and endured gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment from his direct supervisor, Zeke Ramirez.
Cortez alleges that Ramirez propositioned him with inappropriate sexual advances during an outing on March 31, 2023. The complaint states that Ramirez offered Cortez free accommodation in exchange for "manly favors," which involved suggestive gestures towards his genital area. Feeling uncomfortable and disrespected by these advances, Cortez rejected Ramirez's proposition. Following this rejection, Cortez experienced increased scrutiny and criticism regarding his work performance from Ramirez.
Despite reporting these incidents to higher management officials Nina Pitts and Emily Harata within the department, Cortez claims no substantial action was taken to address his complaints. Instead, he was placed on probation under the pretext of unsatisfactory work performance—a claim he disputes as retaliatory.
Cortez's lawsuit lists thirteen causes of action against The Regents of the University of California and unnamed defendants (Does 1-50). These include failure to provide meal and rest periods in violation of California Labor Code §§226.7 and 512; failure to pay wages; gender-based discrimination; sexual harassment; retaliation; wrongful termination; unfair competition; negligent infliction of emotional distress; intentional infliction of emotional distress; among others.
Cortez seeks various forms of relief from the court: compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress estimated at no less than $35,000; civil penalties under specific labor codes amounting to no less than $20,000 combined; liquidated damages plus interest for unpaid wages; punitive damages to deter future misconduct by the defendants; injunctive relief to prevent discriminatory practices within the institution moving forward; restitutionary disgorgement for unlawful conduct profits garnered by the defendants.
Representing Arturo Cortez are attorneys Pasha Vafaei and Azadeh Manoussi from MVP Trial Lawyers based in Irvine, CA. The case is filed under Case ID CGC-24-618483 with Judge Sahar Enayati serving as Deputy Clerk overseeing proceedings in San Francisco County Superior Court.