In October 2019, Martin submitted a formal written complaint of harassment against Wullbrandt and Bradford.
When Martin made plans to return from medical leave, Bradford told the city clerk she would be placed on administrative leave.
While she participated in an interview with an outside investigator, Martin said city representatives never informed her of the results of the investigation.
“The City’s actions in placing Plaintiff on an involuntary leave of absence, failing to properly investigate her legitimate complaints of harassment and retaliation, and violations of the City Code and Brown Act, and firing Plaintiff on the fabricated and false basis of her position being 'non-essential' were, taken together or individually, 'adverse employment actions' as defined by the California Labor and Government Codes, and Regulations," the lawsuit stated. "As a continuous course of conduct, these actions constituted a systematic pattern and practice of illegal retaliation."