Legal News

LA deputy DA files suit against county on behalf of military reservists

By Richard Binder

In a class-action lawsuit filed May 4, Los Angeles County deputy district attorney Anthony Colannino contends that the county and its district attorney, Steve Cooley, are not giving reservists like himself all the compensation to which they are entitled because of the way they calculate military leave. He wants the county to restore any unfairly withheld pay, overtime and vacation time to all current and former employees who serve in the reserves or in the California National Guard.

As of Jan. 31, there were 604 such county employees, including 102 on active duty, according to Acting Director of Personnel Lisa Garrett. But Colannino's lawyer, Jay Coggan, says that counting former employees, the total number affected could reach into the thousands.

The state reserve in which Colannino serves as a captain and judge advocate is primarily a volunteer force, and members only get paid when the governor declares an emergency.

State law requires public agencies to pay employees for the first 30 days they are on active military duty.

Full story at LA Times.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on May 19, 2009 (boomark / email).