It didn’t take long for Hollister City Manager Ana Cortez to make structural changes within the city that resulted in the elimination of multiple leadership positions.
The effect of those moves continued to spread when an unnamed former employee filed a lawsuit on July 28 in San Benito County Superior Court against the city, Cortez and her company Munitalent.
In the lawsuit, the ex-employee listed as “Jane Doe,” accuses the city and Cortez of retaliation and wrongful termination. The former employee also accuses the city of intentionally inflicting emotional distress and accuses Cortez of violating state law for using her own company, Munitalent, to recruit employees while serving as the city manager.
Cortez began as city manager in February.
Doe, who is believed to be former longtime city employee Maria Mendez, is seeking undisclosed compensation and general damages. She also is asking the court to void contracts related to Munitalent recruiting employees and attorney fees.
Cortez did not immediately respond for comment.
A case management conference is scheduled for Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the county courthouse.
According to the lawsuit, Doe was employed by the city for more than 20 years and most recently as the cannabis affairs manager. That position was most recently held by Mendez, who with two other former employees filed a complaint against Cortez in May.
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