Part of suit by prosecutor is dismissed

A judge has dismissed a portion of a lawsuit filed against Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo and the city by a veteran prosecutor who alleged that she was retaliated against for blowing the whistle on possible conflicts of interest by outside law firms hired by the city.

Kerrin Tso, a deputy city attorney for 22 years, contended that she was blocked from a promotion and transferred from her assignment representing the Department of Water and Power after she complained to supervisors about politically connected attorneys hired by Delgadillo’s office.

But Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant sided with Delgadillo in part of the case last week, dismissing Tso’s claim that she was retaliated against on basis of a violation of free speech. The judge said that Tso issued the complaints in her official capacity and that such speech was not protected by the 1st Amendment.

While Chalfant also dismissed Delgadillo and his deputy chief of staff, Robert Miller, from the case, he allowed Tso to move forward with her lawsuit against the city that includes allegations of discrimination based on age and race.