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-Editorial
Blanca Acosta, the former Clerk of the Board of Supervisors in Imperial County, has filed a civil lawsuit against the County of Imperial and Supervisor District 1 Jesus Eduardo Escobar, alleging sexual harassment, workplace retaliation, and wrongful termination after more than two decades of service.
Filed in Imperial County Superior Court on July 1, 2025, the lawsuit includes seven causes of action, among them hostile work environment and quid pro quo sexual harassment under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), as well as battery, retaliation, and failure to prevent harassment. The complaint seeks monetary damages and a jury trial.
Acosta began working for the County in 2002 and steadily rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as Clerk of the Board, a position that placed her in daily contact with all five County Supervisors, including Escobar. She claims she was consistently rated as an excellent employee, received annual merit-based raises, and was never formally disciplined.
The alleged misconduct began in early 2022 after Escobar became Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. According to the lawsuit, Escobar’s behavior toward Acosta shifted from professional to personal, making frequent inappropriate comments about her appearance, especially when she wore heels, calling them “f*** me heels” and complimenting her legs. The complaint says he would ask personal and sexual questions, including whether she had ever cheated on her husband, and repeatedly attempted to steer conversations away from work and toward romantic or sexual topics.
Acosta alleges Escobar made these comments in private settings where she felt unsafe or unable to respond without risking her job. On one occasion, she claims Escobar told her they would make a great couple, and once asked her if she preferred sex after a night of partying or the next morning. She states she repeatedly rejected his advances and told him to keep things professional, but his behavior escalated instead of stopping.
The complaint details an incident in mid-2022 when Escobar allegedly grabbed Acosta, kissed her forcefully, and pinned her against a wall. Acosta describes the event as traumatizing, saying she felt trapped and later had a panic attack. She says she confided in a colleague but did not report the incident immediately out of fear of retaliation. According to the filing, this fear was reinforced by Escobar’s prominent political role and the County’s failure to take disciplinary action even after Acosta later reported the misconduct.
The lawsuit also details unwanted gifts, including a necklace, gift cards, and a love note. When Acosta tried to return the gifts and asked Escobar to stop, he became angry and began giving her the silent treatment in the workplace, further isolating and distressing her.
In 2023, Escobar was no longer Board Chairman, but Acosta alleges the harassment continued. She claims he made suggestive phone calls, referred to her as “the hottest and sassiest clerk in the world,” and asked what she was wearing, despite her repeated refusals. She also alleges that Escobar implied that her salary increase was tied to his vote in her favor, suggesting that she owed him something in return.
After Acosta reported his behavior to the County’s CEO and Human Resources Director in late 2023, she says no formal investigation was conducted and no corrective action was taken against Escobar. Instead, she claims she continued to face hostility, and Escobar began spreading false rumors around the workplace that they were in a relationship, rumors that reportedly reached her family and colleagues, further damaging her reputation and mental health.
In January 2025, Acosta alleges that Escobar entered her office, closed the door, and kissed her on the head without consent. Shortly afterward, in March, she was placed on administrative leave and terminated the following month without cause along with then-County Executive Officer, Miguel Figueroa.
The complaint alleges that the County ratified Escobar’s behavior by failing to investigate her claims or discipline him, despite being warned by multiple officials. She also claims she suffered severe emotional distress, anxiety, and began therapy as a result of the continued harassment and retaliation.