CITY OF OAKLAND
ONE FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA x 6 TH FLOOR x OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94612 Office of the City Attorney
Ryan Richardson
City Attorney
FAX:
TDD:
(510) 238-3601
(510) 238-6500
(510) 839-6451
May 6, 2025
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Oakland, California
Subject: Candace Reese Walters v. City of Oakland, et al.
Alameda County Superior Court Case No. 24CV066117
City Attorney File No. 36314
(Department of Violence Prevention – Employment)
President Pro Tempore Gallo and Members of the City Council:
Pursuant to Section 401 of the Charter, the C ity Attorney has prepared and requests your approval of a resolution authorizing compromise a nd settlement of the above -entitled lawsuit for the sum of One Million Dollars and No Cents ($1,000,000.00), payable to Candace Reese Walters (“Walters”) and her counsel.
Walters began employment with the City of Oakland on or about April 2, 2022 as a Public Information Officer III for the Department of Vio lence Prevention. She alleges that she was harassed and discriminated against on the basis of her sex and race and was paid less than one or more similarly situated male employees of the C ity. Plaintiff also alleges that the City retaliated against her by terminating her employment after she complained to City officials about the alleged discrimination, harassment and unequal pay.
Plaintiff filed a Complaint for Damages and Injunctive Relief in the Alameda County Superior Court against the City alleging violati ons of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”) for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and whistleblower retaliation, violation of the Equal Pay Act, negligent hiring, retention and supervision, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The City has determined that settlement in the amount of $1,000,000, without admitting liability and to avoid further litigation, is in the best interest of the City.
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
May 6, 2025
Subject: Candace Reese Walters v. City of Oakland, et al.
The City Council authorized settlement of this case in Closed Session on Thursday, March 20, 2025 (moved by Councilmember Ja nani Ramachandran and seconded by Councilmember Rowena Brown – 7 Ayes, 1 Absent – Council President Kevin Jenkins (serving as Mayor pursuant to Charter Section 303)).
Respectfully submitted,
RYAN RICHARDSON
City Attorney
Assigned Attorney:
John A. Burke
Supervising Deputy City Attorney
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