LOS ANGELES, CA — A judge has granted the city of Los Angeles' request that a former senior field deputy to Councilman Curren Price undergo an independent mental health evaluation in her lawsuit alleging she was wrongfully fired for being a whistleblower.
Angie Reyes-English contends she suffered full strokes in 2024 and 2026, in addition to "continuing mini-strokes," as a result of the circumstances outlined in her lawsuit, according to court papers previously filed by the City Attorney's Office with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William E. Weinberger.
On Friday, the judge ruled that the examination should take place Nov. 4 or 9 at the Beverly Hills office of psychiatrist Dr. Marc A. Cohen. Only Reyes-English and Cohen may be present, the psychiatrist cannot ask the plaintiff about her sexual history, and the session must be recorded on audio and video, the judge further ruled.
In court papers arguing in favor of the mental examination, the City Attorney's Office noted that Reyes-English traces her mental health decline to a phone call from Price's deputy chief of staff, Jose Ugarte, in which he allegedly called her a "snitch" and a "whistleblower." She stated in a deposition that she had become less sociable, stayed indoors, could not sleep and believed that her name "continues to be smeared even today," according to the city's court papers.
In addition, Reyes-English described her anxiety as feeling "like I'm having a stroke," and she testified that she went to the emergency room three times and required an IV each time to calm her, the city's pleadings further stated. Reyes-English answered in the negative when asked whether those symptoms had subsided since June 2023, according to the city.
"The city must be able to evaluate whether the alleged stress and psychological symptoms exist, their severity and course ... and the basis for the emotional distress damages plaintiff seeks," the city states in its court papers. "Plaintiff cannot tender a psychiatric causation theory and then declare the psychiatric evidence off limits."
While Reyes-English maintains she was considered a "snitch" who gave prosecutors information about the councilman and alleged pay-for-play schemes, the city counters that an internal investigation revealed that the plaintiff created a hostile work environment, culminating in her berating her direct supervisor, James Westbrooks.
According to Reyes-English's suit, she was hired by the city in July 2013 as a senior field deputy, also known as a council aide, in Price's Council District 9. She had previously worked for Price for six years when he served in the state Assembly and state Senate.
The 75-year-old Price, Ugarte and others close to the councilman believed Reyes-English had disclosed information to prosecutors or other government agencies, according to the suit, which further states that Ugarte told Reyes-English that district employees were angry at her because they believed she had provided information to help prosecute Price.
Reyes-English emailed her supervisors and human resources officials to report that she was being intimidated by people who believed she was the "snitch" who helped prosecutors with their case against the councilman, the suit states.
In July 2023, Reyes-English was placed on involuntary medical leave until Oct. 18 of that year, the suit states. When she returned, she was subjected to more harassment that harmed her reputation, according to the suit, which further alleges that Westbrooks told others to keep an eye on her.
Reyes-English, who believed the alleged harassment violated the state Labor Code, was terminated on Jan. 9, 2024, leaving a "permanent black stain on her previously untarnished work record," according to the suit filed in August 2024.
Trial of Reyes-English's case is scheduled for Jan. 5.
Price pleaded not guilty to 12 felony public corruption charges, including embezzlement of government funds, conflict of interest and perjury. A judge rejected his latest attempt to dismiss the charges in August and ordered him to stand trial.
City News Service
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