Carson, California is at the center of a legal dispute involving allegations of misused city resources and a former council aide’s subsequent dismissal. Justin Battle, a former aide to District 4 Councilwoman Arleen Bocatija Rojas, alleges he was fired after refusing requests to perform personal errands and, according to a lawsuit, being asked to conduct surveillance on a fellow councilmember. The city of Carson, however, contends that Battle’s termination was based on legitimate, performance-related issues stemming from scheduling conflicts and his outside employment. This case raises questions about the boundaries of permissible tasks for political aides and the protections afforded to those who raise concerns about potentially improper conduct.
The core of the dispute lies in Battle’s claims that his duties extended beyond the scope of a typical council aide’s responsibilities. He alleges he was routinely asked to handle personal tasks for Councilwoman Rojas, including picking up her daughter from school, managing her personal appointments and even performing household chores. The lawsuit further asserts that Rojas directed Battle to use city time and resources for these personal errands, instructing him to avoid using the office to prevent detection. These allegations, if proven, could raise concerns about the appropriate use of public funds and the potential for conflicts of interest. The city maintains that Battle’s termination was unrelated to these complaints and was instead due to performance issues.
Lawsuit Alleges Improper Requests and Retaliation
Justin Battle filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging a violation of the California Labor Code. While the suit focuses on the alleged actions of Councilwoman Rojas, she is not directly named as a defendant; the city of Carson is the named party. According to the complaint, Battle was hired in 2019 as a recreation assistant, promoted to administrative intern in June 2022, and then to council aide in March 2023. The lawsuit details a pattern of requests from Rojas that Battle considered inappropriate, including tasks such as picking up dry cleaning, driving her to events, servicing her car, planning vacations, mowing her lawn, and transporting her sister. OurWeekly reported on the initial filing of the suit in July 2024.
Perhaps the most serious allegation in the lawsuit centers around a request that Battle conduct surveillance on District 2 Councilman Jim Dear. Battle claims Rojas asked him to monitor Dear’s activities and report on his movements, as well as observe his personal relationships. He alleges he refused this request and reported it multiple times to Assistant City Manager Robert Lennox, but the alleged surveillance request persisted. Battle believes his termination, which occurred in November 2023, was directly linked to his complaints about these alleged illegal activities and his refusal to participate in them. The city, however, disputes this claim, arguing that the termination was based on legitimate performance concerns.
City Defends Termination, Cites Performance Issues
The city of Carson argues that Battle’s dismissal was justified and unrelated to any complaints he may have raised. In court papers filed on March 7, 2026, the city’s attorneys contend that Battle was terminated for performance-based reasons, specifically citing his limited work availability. MyNewsLA reported on the city’s response to the lawsuit. According to the city, Battle held a second job as a student supervision aide at Stephen M. White Middle School, working approximately 30 hours per week. This schedule, the city argues, conflicted with the demands of the council aide position, which required availability after 3 p.m. To support Councilwoman Rojas’ full-time duties.
The city’s legal team further states that Battle’s six-month probationary period concluded in November 2023, at which point he was evaluated and found to have not met the required standards. His inflexible scheduling, they claim, prevented him from adequately meeting the needs of the councilwoman. The city maintains that the law does not protect employees from termination based on routine workplace complaints and that this case is not about whistleblowing, but rather a straightforward employment matter. They assert that Battle’s termination was a legitimate business decision based on his inability to fulfill the requirements of the position.
Councilwoman Rojas’ Background and Public Service
Arleen Bocatija Rojas has a long history of public service in Carson. According to the city’s website, she is a longtime Carson resident and a member of the Los Angeles Police Department. She is notable for being the first female Filipino-American officer in the LAPD and the second Filipina councilwoman to serve the city since 1993. This background is often highlighted in local media coverage of her work on the city council. Her position as a public servant adds another layer of complexity to the allegations raised in the lawsuit, as it involves questions about the ethical conduct of a public official and the use of public resources.
The Legal Battle Ahead
The case is currently scheduled for a hearing on August 27 before Judge Stephen Pfahler in Los Angeles Superior Court. The city’s attorneys are seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed for lack of a triable issue, arguing that Battle has not presented sufficient evidence to support his claims. Battle, is seeking unspecified compensatory damages and attorney’s fees from the city. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the rights of political aides and the standards of conduct expected of elected officials. Hoodline provides further coverage of the legal proceedings.
The allegations in this case raise important questions about the appropriate boundaries between personal and professional duties for political staff. While It’s common for aides to assist with some aspects of their employer’s personal life, the extent to which public resources and time should be used for such tasks is a matter of debate. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for future cases involving similar allegations and could influence the policies and procedures governing the conduct of political aides in Carson and beyond.
Key Takeaways
- Justin Battle alleges he was fired for refusing to run personal errands for Councilwoman Arleen Bocatija Rojas and for reporting a request to spy on a fellow councilmember.
- The city of Carson maintains that Battle’s termination was based on performance issues related to scheduling conflicts with his second job.
- The lawsuit alleges a violation of the California Labor Code, but Councilwoman Rojas is not a named defendant.
- The case is scheduled for a hearing on August 27, 2026, before Judge Stephen Pfahler.
- Councilwoman Rojas has a long history of public service, being the first female Filipino-American officer in the LAPD and the second Filipina councilwoman in Carson since 1993.
The next step in this legal battle will be the August 27 hearing before Judge Pfahler, where arguments will be presented regarding the merits of the case and whether it should proceed to trial. Readers interested in following the developments of this case are encouraged to monitor local news sources and court filings for updates. We invite you to share your thoughts on this matter in the comments below.