Petaluma People Services Center Sued for Racism Towards African Americans
On November 5, 2024 a civil case was filed by Knighten, Latasha Marie, represented by Lipeles, Kevin Andrew, against The Petaluma People Services Center
On November 5, 2024 a civil case was filed by Latasha Marie Knighten against The Petaluma People Services Center for racial discrimination, and a multitude of other causes of action.
The complaint stated:
Starting on or about March 27, 2023, and continuing through May 9, 2024, Defendant TPPSC employed Plaintiff as a Crisis Intervention Specialist at the San Rafael Police Department inside the San Rafael City Hall in San Rafael, California and in the field. Plaintiff responded to non-criminal 911 calls, performed community outreach, connected members with social services and picked up supplies and donations within the community.
While employed by Defendant TPPSC, Plaintiff was paid approximately $28.00 per hour.
Throughout Plaintiff’s employment, Plaintiff was subjected to discrimination, harassment, and differential treatment based on Plaintiff’s race as an African American.
Plaintiff was the only African American employee at Plaintiff’s work location, which had approximately 6-10 employees.
Plaintiff was subjected to harassment and bullying, primarily by Plaintiff’s team leader, Pricila. This harassment included, but was not limited to:
a) Undermining Plaintiff's work;
b) Not allowing Plaintiff to speak with clients;
c) Treating Plaintiff differently from non-African American employees;
d) Responding to Plaintiff's questions with a hostile attitude or ignoring Plaintiff;
e) Taking Plaintiff's belongings out of Plaintiff’s workspace and relabeling it as a shared employee space;
f) Throwing out Plaintiff's belongings and putting rocks in Plaintiff’s shoes.
When Plaintiff reported these issues, Defendant TPPSC failed to take appropriate corrective action. Plaintiff's requests for meetings and mediation to address these issues were often ignored or ineffective.
The team leader, Pricila, claimed that the problems with Plaintiff were related to insufficient training, despite this never being raised as an issue before. The company acknowledged that the team leader was being hostile towards Plaintiff, but took no effective action to address the situation.
On one occasion, the team leader made a comment about Plaintiff looking "flustered," which Plaintiff believes was impossible to discern due to Plaintiff’s dark skin color, indicating racial bias.
The stress caused by this discriminatory treatment and harassment caused Plaintiff to experience health issues, including problems with Plaintiff’s vision.
Plaintiff requested time off due to the stress-related health issues, but received only a cursory response.
Plaintiff repeatedly requested not to be scheduled to work with Pricila and another worker due to the harassment and "messing with" Plaintiff's belongings, but these requests were not accommodated or acknowledged for over six months.
Pricila also regularly complained about Plaintiff's walking speed, despite being aware that Plaintiff had a disability/hip replacement.
Plaintiff made both verbal and written complaints about the discriminatory treatment she was experiencing, but Defendant TPPSC failed to take appropriate corrective action.
As a result of the ongoing discrimination, harassment, and Defendant TPPSC's failure to take corrective action, Plaintiff was forced to resign from Plaintiff’s position on May 9, 2024.
Plaintiff's forced resignation due to the intolerable working conditions created by the discrimination and harassment constitutes a constructive discharge in violation of public policy.
On November 5, 2024, Plaintiff filed an administrative complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”) alleging discrimination, retaliation and harassment by Defendant Petaluma People Services Center. On November 5, 2024, the DFEH issued Plaintiff a Right to Sue Notice as to Defendant TPPSC and Defendant PRICILA DOE.
As of May 21, 2025, The Court, having reviewed The Petaluma People Services Center’s Demurrer and Motion to Strike, to Plaintiff Latasha Marie Knighten’s Complaint, and having heard argument of counsel, and for good cause showing, ordered as follows:
The Demurrer is OVERRULED.
The Motion to Strike is DENIED
A case management conference is scheduled for August 26, 2025 for status update pending Defendants Demurrer and Motion to Strike.
Articles suggest that Ms. Knighten’s lawsuit referred to San Rafael’s mobile crisis intervention team, Specialized Assistance for Everyone (SAFE).
An article in The PacificSun indicated that Ms. Knighten was the trainee of ARMED WITH EMPATHY First responder Priscilla Ferreira, of SAFE.
