Wrongful Termination Suit Settled in Carson

A former council aide's lawsuit against the city over alleged retaliatory firing has reached a conditional settlement.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Human Resources

Wrongful Termination Suit Settled in Carson

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A former Carson council aide has reached a conditional settlement in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the city. The case involves allegations that the employee was fired for refusing to perform personal tasks for a council member.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the significant legal and operational risks cities face when internal employment conflicts escalate to litigation over alleged retaliation. Businesses must maintain clear documentation to substantiate performance-based terminations and avoid claims of improper conduct.

The former employee held a concurrent role working 30 hours weekly at Stephen M. White Middle School while serving as a council aide. The lawsuit centered on whether his termination in November 2023 was performance-based or retaliatory.

The players

Justin Battle

Former recreation assistant, administrative intern, and council aide for the city of Carson.

Arleen Bocatija Rojas

City councilwoman for Carson named in the lawsuit regarding requested personal errands.

Robert Lennox

Assistant City Manager of Carson who received reports regarding the alleged demands.

Jim Dear

Carson City Councilman who was allegedly the subject of requested surveillance.

The details

Justin Battle alleged he was terminated for refusing to perform personal errands for Councilwoman Arleen Bocatija Rojas, including requests to monitor a colleague. The city maintained that the termination was due to performance issues and scheduling conflicts, citing his limited availability. Defense attorneys recently notified the court that the parties have entered a conditional resolution, which remains subject to bankruptcy court approval.

2019: Battle was hired as a recreation assistant.
June 2022: Battle was promoted to administrative intern.
March 2023: Battle was promoted to council aide.
November 2023: Battle was terminated from his position.
February 1, 2027: Expected filing date for case dismissal.

Market Landscape

The lawsuit reflects a common enforcement pattern where municipal employment actions are challenged under protections established by the California Labor Code. It sits among a growing trend of labor disputes requiring formal legal resolution to mitigate public entity liability.

Operators should review their employment handbooks to ensure performance evaluations are consistently documented during probationary periods. Clear records are essential to defend against retaliation claims when external time commitments interfere with core job requirements.

The takeaway

Documenting performance issues in real-time is the most reliable defense against claims of retaliatory termination. Ensure all staff performance reviews include specific, actionable metrics that clarify why an employee is not meeting the needs of their role.