Judge Dismisses Ex-Sheriff Villanueva From Gallegos' Civil Rights Lawsuit

Ruling leaves Los Angeles County as the main defendant in the long-running case.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:05pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office space, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows cast across the room, conveying a sense of unresolved tension and conflict.The dismissal of a former sheriff from a civil rights lawsuit highlights the ongoing political and personal rivalries roiling the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.Los Angeles Today

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has dismissed former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva from a civil rights lawsuit filed by a veteran Sheriff's Department secretary, Cynthia Gallegos. The ruling removes Villanueva as a defendant 'with prejudice,' meaning Gallegos cannot refile claims against him personally. The case will now proceed with Los Angeles County as the main target, centered on whether the county's hiring and promotion decisions violated Gallegos' civil rights.

Why it matters

This ruling streamlines the high-profile case and removes one immediate legal distraction for Villanueva as he attempts a political comeback, while keeping the spotlight on internal power struggles and personnel decisions within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that have spilled into the courts and local politics.

The details

Gallegos, a 22-year veteran Sheriff's Department secretary, claims she was passed over for a promotion in October 2021 due to her political support for one of Villanueva's rivals. The lawsuit alleges Villanueva instead elevated a candidate tied to his top fundraiser, known for 'chaos and discord.' Gallegos is arguing the county should be held responsible for these allegedly politically driven personnel moves.

  • The initial complaint was filed in October 2022 and then reworked through several amended versions.
  • On March 30, 2026, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Randolph M. Hammock signed off on the ruling dismissing Villanueva from the case.
  • A hearing is scheduled for April 15, 2026, where county lawyers will ask the court to throw out the remaining claims against Los Angeles County.

The players

Cynthia Gallegos

A veteran secretary at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department who filed a civil rights lawsuit after being passed over for a promotion in October 2021.

Alex Villanueva

The former Los Angeles County Sheriff who lost his reelection bid in November 2022 and has since launched a political comeback effort, announcing a bid to reclaim the sheriff's office in 2026.

Randolph M. Hammock

The Los Angeles Superior Court judge who signed off on the ruling dismissing Villanueva from Gallegos' civil rights lawsuit.

Robert Luna

The current Los Angeles County Sheriff who defeated Villanueva in the November 2022 election.

Los Angeles County

The main defendant remaining in Gallegos' civil rights lawsuit after Villanueva was dismissed from the case.

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What they’re saying

“The written order means Gallegos cannot try again to sue Villanueva personally over the same claims.”

— MyNewsLA

What’s next

County lawyers are set to ask the court to throw out the remaining claims against Los Angeles County at a hearing scheduled for April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

This ruling removes a high-profile name from the case while keeping the spotlight on the internal power struggles and personnel decisions within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that have become entangled in local politics and the courts.