Lawsuit accuses California prosecutor of anti-Asian racism

(Source)

Patti Lee, former spokeswoman for Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, filed a lawsuit Wednesday accusing Price of fostering a culture of anti-Asian bias in the workplace and violating public records law during media requests. The lawsuit mirrors a suit Lee filed in March accusing Price of “constantly and openly” making derogatory remarks about Asian Americans. Lee claims she was fired for whistleblowing after accusing communications director Haaziq Madyun of hiding, deleting or altering records.

• In a statement, Lee, who is seeking damages for emotional distress and unpaid and lost wages, said: “I have never been subjected to such degrading and harassing behavior in the workplace. This is unacceptable in any professional environment, but when the perpetrator is a public official who claims to be a civil rights activist, it is unacceptable.”

• Price’s office has not commented on the lawsuit, which comes as Price is being recalled and as Oakland faces larger challenges, including rising crime and business closures. Price was also publicly accused last year of being “disrespectful to the AAPI community,” particularly in connection with the shooting death of toddler Jasper Wu, by veteran prosecutor Rebecca Warren after she and another Alameda prosecutor resigned.

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