Oakland has settled a $1 million lawsuit with former Department of Violence Prevention employee Candace Reese Walters, who accused the city of discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation. Walters asserted that former DVP Chief Guillermo Cespedes pursued her inappropriately and created a toxic workplace environment. Despite filing multiple whistleblower complaints, she received no action from the city. Following her termination just before she was to become a permanent employee, the City Council opted to settle to avoid further litigation, emphasizing the need for adherence to anti-discrimination laws.
We are pleased that the parties have been able to come to a resolution, but more importantly, we want the city of Oakland to embrace and embody California's anti-discrimination, harassment, and retaliation laws.
According to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by The Oaklandside, Reese Walters alleged that starting in April 2022, then-DVP Chief Guillermo Cespedes sexually pursued her for months and routinely made 'offensive and inappropriate comments' about her.
The City Council voted to settle the lawsuit this week 'without admitting liability and to avoid further litigation,' according to a city attorney's memo.
Reese Walters alleged that after she complained to city officials about discrimination, harassment, and unequal pay, she was fired effective April 1 - one day before she was set to become a permanent employee.
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