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Retiring public defender alleges harassment, demotion and policy failures in extended board remarks
Summary
At her retirement recognition, Jeanette Garcia described a decades‑long career at the public defender’s office and alleged a series of management failures: a sexual assault by a client during a video visit she reported to supervisors, an HR complaint she says was not addressed, a demotion she fought and later prevailed on in arbitration, and concerns about policies that she says pressure attorneys to remain on traumatic cases.
Jeanette Garcia, recognized for more than 26 years of service in the Solano County Public Defender’s Office, used her retirement moment during the board meeting to deliver an extended, personal statement alleging workplace mistreatment and shortcomings in county policies and HR responses.
Garcia told the board she had been assaulted by an in‑custody client during a video visit and that after notifying supervisors she faced inadequate support and disputed personnel actions. She said she filed an HR complaint that she believes went unaddressed and that she later was demoted; she described winning an arbitration challenging that demotion. Garcia told the board: “She is vile, disingenuous,” referring to her department head, and added, “I am a survivor. I’m not a victim.”
Garcia urged the board to investigate county policies she said make it harder for employees who report assaults or harassment. She said workers’ compensation and post‑settlement therapy benefits had been denied or limited in her experience, and described how accommodations she sought after the assault were ultimately withdrawn.
Board members and other attendees expressed appreciation for Garcia’s years of service and condolences regarding difficulties she recounted; the transcript records expressions of sympathy and thanks but no immediate departmental response or formal board action to investigate during the meeting. The board later remarked that staff and sheriff deputies had been supportive in some parts of her recovery. The allegations in Garcia’s statement were not resolved on the record during the meeting and the transcript does not record a formal inquiry or corrective action taken at that session.
