A Port Hueneme City Council member is suing the city's chief of police, accusing him of orchestrating a behind-the-scenes harassment campaign against her.
City Council member Laura Hernandez filed the defamation lawsuit against Police Chief Michael Federico on July 16. It's a small claims case, so it will move quickly; the trial is scheduled for Aug. 21, and the judge should issue a verdict the same day. Hernandez is seeking $12,500, which is the limit for a small claims lawsuit.
Her complaint states that Federico "has made numerous and unsubstantiated and defamatory statements" that have "caused significant damage to plaintiff's personal and professional reputation."
"It's been hard," Hernandez told The Star. "I'm used to having a very positive relationship with our officers and our chief of police, and that's not the case anymore. ... Money is not the object of this. I think it’s a question of ethics of doing what's right and trying to correct a wrong."
Federico did not respond to requests for an interview.
According to Hernandez's complaint, the false...
The lawsuit accuses Port Hueneme Chief Michael Federico of defamation. To win the lawsuit, City Councilmember Laura Hernandez will have to prove Federico's statements were false and that he either...