Melani Cargle, MD, filed the lawsuit against Los Angeles County, Keck Medicine of USC and University of California Health Los Angeles. She alleged receiving inappropriate and sexist comments from a supervisor at UCLA. Her complaint also alleged the county shared an internal and public memo saying her allegations were “entirely false,” which severely damaged her reputation.
However a judge dismissed the claims, granting the county’s motion under the state’s anti-SLAPP — Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation — law, which prevents people from using the courts to intimidate others exercising free speech rights.
A spokesperson for Los Angeles County Health Services didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
