Carson, California – A former aide to Carson Councilwoman Arleen Bocatija Rojas is alleging a pattern of inappropriate and potentially illegal behavior, including requests to perform personal errands, utilize law enforcement tracking tools for private purposes, and conduct surveillance on a fellow council member. The lawsuit, filed in 2024 by Justin Battle, has brought renewed scrutiny to the conduct of city officials and raises questions about the use of public resources for personal gain. The case is currently scheduled for a jury trial in June, promising a public airing of these serious allegations.
Battle’s lawsuit details a series of requests from Councilwoman Rojas that he claims crossed ethical and legal boundaries. These included tasks such as mowing Rojas’ lawn, planning her vacations, and picking up her dry cleaning. More concerningly, Battle alleges he was asked to use access granted through the Los Angeles Police Department to track the phone usage of Rojas’ daughter and to “spy on” Councilmember Jim Dear, including monitoring the comings and goings of his wife or girlfriend. The allegations paint a picture of a workplace environment where personal and official duties were blurred, and where an employee felt pressured to engage in questionable activities.
The city of Carson, represented by its attorneys, disputes Battle’s claims, arguing that his termination in November 2023 was due to performance issues and not retaliation for raising concerns. City attorneys contend that Battle’s work schedule, complicated by a second job at a Los Angeles Unified School District middle school, prevented him from adequately fulfilling the demands of his position as a council aide. However, Battle maintains that his complaints about the alleged misconduct were the primary reason for his dismissal, framing his termination as a form of whistleblower retaliation.
Allegations of Misuse of Authority and Public Resources
The core of the dispute centers around Battle’s claims that Councilwoman Rojas repeatedly asked him to use his position to benefit her personally. The lawsuit alleges that Rojas required Battle to be “on call 24/7” and to handle a wide range of personal errands, effectively blurring the lines between his official duties and personal service. This alleged behavior echoes similar accusations made in a separate lawsuit filed in May 2025 by another former aide to Rojas, Ruben Jaquez. Jaquez’s lawsuit, reported by 2UrbanGirls, alleges similar demands, including picking up Rojas’ daughter from school, performing car maintenance, assembling furniture, and cooking for her family.
Perhaps the most serious allegations involve the alleged misuse of LAPD email authorization to track the location of Rojas’ daughter. Even as the specifics of this access remain unclear, the suggestion that a city employee would utilize law enforcement resources for personal monitoring raises significant privacy concerns. Battle’s claim that he was asked to surveil Councilmember Dear, a political rival, raises questions about potential abuse of power and the use of city resources for political purposes. Battle asserts he refused these requests, but the fact that they were made at all is at the heart of the legal battle.
The City’s Defense and Battle’s Counterclaims
The city of Carson’s legal team has mounted a defense centered on Battle’s job performance. Court documents filed by the city argue that Battle’s simultaneous employment at an LAUSD middle school created scheduling conflicts that hindered his ability to meet the demands of his position as a council aide. They claim that his “unflexible scheduling demands” prevented him from adequately supporting Councilwoman Rojas. However, Battle counters that his second job was known to the city and did not impact his performance, and that the alleged issues were raised only after he voiced concerns about Rojas’ conduct.
Battle’s lawsuit also alleges that he was denied lawful meal and rest breaks and was not fully compensated for all hours worked, adding a labor law dimension to the case. He further claims that he faced discrimination based on his race and religious beliefs, alleging a pattern of unfair treatment and retaliation for asserting his rights. The city’s attorneys, however, argue that Battle “cannot establish the essential elements of his whistleblower claim” and that the case lacks sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. They maintain that his termination was a legitimate personnel decision based on performance, not retaliation.
A History of Lawsuits Against Carson Officials
This is not the first time Carson city officials have faced legal challenges alleging misconduct. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, the city has recently been involved in other lawsuits, including one concerning the odor emanating from the Dominguez Channel. Carson residents won millions in damages in that case, highlighting a pattern of legal disputes involving the city. The current lawsuit brought by Justin Battle adds to this growing list of challenges, raising concerns about accountability and transparency within Carson’s city government.
The allegations against Councilwoman Rojas also come amidst a broader context of scrutiny surrounding local politics in Southern California. The case is likely to draw attention from residents and watchdog groups interested in ensuring ethical conduct and responsible use of public funds. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for the city of Carson and its elected officials, potentially setting a precedent for future cases involving allegations of misconduct and abuse of power.
Key Dates and Timeline
- 2019: Justin Battle initially hired by the city of Carson as a recreation assistant.
- March 2023: Battle promoted to the position of council aide to Arleen Bocatija Rojas.
- May 2025: Ruben Jaquez files a separate lawsuit against Councilwoman Rojas alleging similar misconduct.
- November 2023: Battle’s employment with the city of Carson is terminated.
- 2024: Justin Battle files his lawsuit against the city of Carson.
- March 8, 2026: City attorneys file documents arguing for dismissal of the case.
- June 2026: Jury trial is scheduled to start.
The legal proceedings are expected to be closely watched by Carson residents and observers of local government. The outcome of the trial will likely shape the future of the city and its commitment to ethical governance. The case underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in public office and serves as a reminder that elected officials are held to a high standard of conduct.
As the trial approaches, the city of Carson and Councilwoman Rojas face mounting pressure to address the allegations and demonstrate a commitment to ethical leadership. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the individuals involved but also for the reputation and future of the city of Carson.
The next key date in this case is the scheduled jury trial in June. Further updates will be provided as they become available. We encourage readers to share their thoughts and perspectives on this important issue in the comments section below.