In March 2020, claimant Sachi Hamai, the chief executive officer of Los Angeles County, was a member of the county’s elected Board of Supervisors when it decided to remove Sheriff Alex Villanueva as the head of the county’s emergency operations center just as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began to intensify in Los Angeles. Hamai claimed that shortly thereafter, Villanueva began to harass her, as Villanueva blamed her for his removal. She also claimed that Villanueva lied to the press by saying that she denied first responders their salaries while quarantined and that as a result, individuals threatened to post her home address and suggested she be harmed. Hamai filed a claim with the county of Los Angeles. Hamai claimed that Villanueva’s actions constituted harassment and retaliation and that the county was negligent for failing to prevent the workplace harassment and retaliation., Hamai claimed that the events caused her to fear for her own safety, causing her to suffer from emotional distress. Hamai sought recovery of damages for her emotional pain and suffering.