In August 2017, plaintiff Pauline Smith, an inmate who was eight months into her confinement at Century Regional Detention Center, in Lynwood, was approached by Deputy Giancarlo Scotti in a section of the outdoor recreation area. Smith claimed that Scotti asked to see her chest and threatened to retaliate against her if she did not. Smith claimed that when she complied, Scotti inappropriately touched her and that Scotti again touched her inappropriately a few days later after threatening her. In September 2017, Los Angeles County Internal Affairs investigators approached Smith about allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by Scotti. Smith answered their questions during the interview, but she claimed that she was scared about possible retaliation. Smith was not retaliated against, and she was eventually released from jail in October 2017. Smith sued Scotti; Scotti’s supervisor, Los Angeles County Sheriff James McDonnell; and Scotti’s employers, Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Smith alleged that Scotti’s actions constituted assault, battery and false imprisonment in violation of her civil and constitutional rights and that the remaining defendants were liable for Scotti’s actions. Smith claimed that Scotti approached her in a section of the outdoor recreation area that was not well lit, asked to see her chest and told her that she would be retaliated against if she did not. Smith claimed that she complied because she was scared and that Scotti began to grope her breasts. She also claimed that when Scotti approached her a few days later, he asked her to grope his genitals, but that when she did not respond, he grabbed her hand and threatened to remove her from the education program that she participated in at the jail if she did not comply. Smith claimed that she again complied because she was scared and that Scotti forced himself upon her and kissed her several times. Smith claimed that while she did report the incidents to internal affairs, she was afraid about retaliation from Scotti or other sheriff’s department employees until she was released from jail., Smith claimed that she was sexually assaulted by Scotti and that she was in constant fear of retaliation from either Scotti or other Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department employees after she answered the investigators’ questions. She claimed that as a result, she suffered from emotional distress. Smith also claimed that she had constant nightmares about being wrongfully arrested by other sheriff’s department employees in retaliation for speaking out about the sexual abuse. Smith sought recovery of damages for her past and future emotional pain and suffering.