Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a leading candidate for governor of California, is embroiled in controversy following allegations from former jail commander Victoria Flores. Flores, who served nearly 30 years in the department, has filed a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination, retaliation, and civil rights violations. She alleges that Sheriff Bianco hid the causes of numerous jail deaths and created a culture of cover-up and retaliation.
According to the lawsuit, Flores was instructed by Bianco not to cooperate with a civil grand jury investigating jail conditions. She also claims that she was told not to leave a paper trail regarding a detainee’s overdose. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, highlights a series of alleged misconduct incidents, including deputies using excessive force without facing discipline.
The lawsuit comes amid an ongoing investigation by the California Attorney General into the department’s practices, following a record 19 detainee deaths in 2022. Flores’ lawsuit provides further evidence of alleged wrongdoing, including falsification of records and lack of accountability within the department…