Ex-Dymally aides will get $190,000

The California Assembly has agreed to pay $190,000 to two former staffers of Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally (D-Compton) to settle their claims that he violated state employment laws.

Husband and wife Jason and Tamara Mitchell began working for Dymally in 2002. Jason Mitchell was terminated in September 2004, according to the lawsuit, and his wife five months later. They alleged that Dymally had violated state law by telling them they could not take more time off work for medical reasons and retaliated when they complained to Assembly officials.

Jason Mitchell suffers from kidney failure and lupus, according to a 2005 lawsuit, and required occasional doctor and hospital visits. Under the settlement reached Monday, the Mitchells agreed to dismiss all claims against Dymally and the Assembly. The $190,000 payment includes $72,000 for lawyers’ fees.

-- Nancy Vogel