A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department lieutenant who filed a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit alleging that Sheriff Robert Luna has formed a “hit squad” against those who supported former Sheriff Alex Villanueva has been denied immediate access to specific personnel records of Luna and other high-ranking department members.
Lt. Shawn O’Donnell’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit allegations also include sexual and racial harassment. On Wednesday, Judge Peter A. Hernandez denied O’Donnell’s personnel records request “without prejudice,” meaning the motion can be brought again later.
Hernandez said that while such motions typically seek information about past complaints by third parties of excessive force, violence, dishonesty or the filing of false police report, the declaration of O’Donnell’s attorney, Christopher Harmon, in support of the motion “does not connect such information to the allegations in the complaint.”…