A California woman has filed suit in federal court alleging that she was subjected to months of sexual harassment and discrimination while assigned to the Calipatria Fire Department through a welfare-to-work placement program. The lawsuit names the fire department, the City of Calipatria, multiple California and Imperial County social service agencies, the Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program, and a former fire chief as defendants.  

According to the complaint, plaintiff Natalia P. Valdez participated in California’s CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work (WTW) program and was assigned through IVROP’s Work Experience (WEX) program to work at the Calipatria Fire Department beginning in June of 2025.      

The suit alleges Ms. Valdez was limited to 20 hours per week and 60 hours per month under the program, but claims she routinely worked substantially more hours without additional compensation because she believed the placement would lead to permanent employment with the department. The complaint alleges she sometimes worked 47 hours per week and worked 79 hours during July of 2025 alone.  

The complaint further alleges that while assigned to the department, Ms. Valdez responded to emergency calls, rode in fire apparatus, assisted at active fire scenes, handled hoses, and acted as a translator for Spanish-speaking citizens.   The suit contends she performed duties similar to those of department firefighters without being properly classified or compensated as an employee.  

Ms. Valdez alleges that the former fire chief supervised her work and repeatedly suggested that permanent employment with the department depended upon complying with his personal demands.   The complaint states that after applying for a Paid Call / Reserve Firefighter position in August of 2025, she was told by the chief that if she wanted “extra points” she needed to do “extra credit.”  

According to the suit, later the same day the chief allegedly informed her that she was not selected because she would not provide “extra credit” or “chon-chon,” which the complaint describes as slang for sex.   The complaint alleges that two male applicants ultimately received the position.  

The lawsuit describes numerous additional allegations of sexual harassment occurring between August and October of 2025. These allegations include unwanted touching, sexually explicit comments, attempts to touch Ms. Valdez while driving to a fire scene, showing co-workers a photograph allegedly taken of her without consent, and other physical contact at the station and during department activities.

The complaint alleges Ms. Valdez eventually reported the conduct to IVROP and the City of Calipatria after confiding in other firefighters at the station.   According to the suit, she was later advised by members of the department to stay away from the fire department, resulting in her reassignment away from the placement and ending her pursuit of a permanent firefighting position there.  

The complaint also alleges other department personnel and employees of participating agencies were aware, or should have been aware, of the chief’s alleged conduct.   The suit claims there had been prior concerns involving other female employees and participants assigned to the department.  

Ms. Valdez alleges she suffered emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD as a result of the alleged conduct and has required mental health treatment.  The lawsuit asserts claims for sex discrimination, quid pro quo sexual harassment, harassment, retaliation, hostile work environment, negligent supervision, assault and battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and related state and federal claims.  

The complaint does not assert any Fair Labor Standards Act claims or separate wage-and-hour causes of action despite claims that Ms. Valdez worked substantially more than the 20 hours per week / 60 hours per month contemplated by the WTW program without compensation.