Dorman v. Dept. of Justice
Plaintiff and appellant Christine Dorman appeals from a judgment following the granting of a motion for summary judgment in favor of defendant and respondent State of California Department of Justice (DOJ) and a judgment following the granting of a motion for summary adjudication in favor of defendant and respondent City of La Verne (City) in this action for employment discrimination and retaliation. Dorman worked as an administrative assistant for the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Crime Task Force (LA Impact). Dorman contends triable issues of fact exist as to the following issues: 1) whether an employment relationship existed between Dorman and the DOJ, either directly, indirectly, or based on the doctrine of respondeat superior; 2) whether an employment relationship existed between Dorman and the City; and 3) whether the City and the DOJ are liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress even in the absence an employment relationship. Court conclude neither the City nor the DOJ are liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress. There is no evidence that the DOJ exercised control or interfered with respect to Dormans employment, and therefore, Dorman cannot maintain employment-related causes of action against the DOJ. The judgment in favor of the DOJ is affirmed. Triable issues of fact exist as to whether the City was Dormans employer, and therefore, the judgment in favor of the City is reversed.
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