In February 2016, plaintiff Rita Martell, a psychiatric technician at Pelican Bay State Prison, in Crescent City, allegedly began to be subjected to sexual harassment and gender discrimination by correctional officers Robert Martinez and Travis Stover. Martell claimed that the hostile work environment continued until August 2016 and that, during that time, Martinez assaulted her. Martell further claimed that she reported the officers’ conduct, but that nothing was done and that she instead received a negative performance evaluation and was disciplined for alleged violations of policy. Martell sued Martinez; Stover; Pelican Bay State Prison; the prison’s operator, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; and an entity that was believed to be the employer of the correctional officers, the state of California. Martell alleged that Martinez’s and Stover’s actions constituted gender discrimination and sexual harassment and that the prison, the department of corrections, and state were liable for their actions. Martell also alleged that the defendants retaliated against her for reporting the alleged incidents. The prison and state were removed from the case, and the matter continued against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Martinez and Stover. Martell claimed that Martinez and Stover continued to harass and discriminate against her from February 2016 until August 2016. She also claimed that, during that time, Martinez assaulted her by pressing the front of his body against her chest and rubbing it and that when she reported the incidents, nothing was done and she was told, “That is how these guys are.” Martell claimed that instead, she received a negative performance evaluation in retaliation for making the complaints and that the claim that she was disciplined for alleged violations of policy was pretextual. Defense counsel contended that the prison was not aware of the correctional officers’ alleged conduct and that any alleged inappropriate conduct was not directed at Martell. Counsel also contended that Martell was the only female who complained about the alleged conduct, as no other females found the conduct to be offensive., Martell, who worked at the prison for 13 years, claimed that she suffered emotional distress as a result of the alleged events. Martell sought recovery of damages for her emotional pain and suffering.