Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson is in a fight for her re-election this November. She’s hoping voters will give her a fourth term, despite her lawsuit against the city, which could cost taxpayers over $7 million.
Robertson alleges she was the victim of racial discrimination. She claims that the city did not give her a security door to protect against active shooters, even though it installed one for Councilmember Rafael Trujillo — who also happens to be Robertson’s campaign opponent.
Robertson, who is Black, says race factored into the decision to give Trujillo the security door, but not her. Although she describes Trujillo as “white,” he is Latino.
Robertson’s lawsuit also alleges that she was not given the proper pension, that city police looked her up in their database without cause, and that city staff did not arrange ergonomic furniture for her after a 2019 car crash.
The city has pushed back against Robertson’s claims. It says it did get her the ergonomic furniture she required, and claims the door installation for her office was delayed by the pandemic.
Justified or not, the litigation has become fodder for Roberson’s opponent.
“She’s so embroiled in all these lawsuits, she’s lost sight of the direction of the city,” Trujillo told the Daily Mail.
“…[If] you’re not the fiduciarily responsible representative, then who is there for the taxpayer?”
That’s now for voters to decide.