SACRAMENTO, CA — California state senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, a Democrat-turned-Republican, has been accused of coercing her former chief of staff, Chad Condit, into a “sex-based quid pro quo relationship,” resulting in severe back and hip injuries for Condit.
Condit, who is married and the son of former Congressman Gary Condit, filed a lawsuit last week in Sacramento Superior Court, alleging that Alvarado-Gil pressured him to perform sexual acts during work trips. The lawsuit claims Condit was forced to comply to retain his job.
Allegations and Injuries
The lawsuit details that Condit, during his tenure as Alvarado-Gil’s chief of staff, had to undergo back surgery due to injuries allegedly caused by the senator’s demands. One incident cited involved Alvarado-Gil allegedly requesting oral sex in a small car, leading to Condit sustaining three herniated discs and a collapsed hip.
“This was a sex-based quid pro quo relationship of unwelcome advances and sexual behaviors coupled with punishment and flexing of power,” the suit charges.
Hostile Work Environment
Condit claims that Alvarado-Gil created a hostile work environment, further stating that he was terminated in December after he continued to refuse her advances, citing his back injury as the reason. The lawsuit also mentions that Alvarado-Gil, who is also married with six children, signed a disciplinary letter accusing Condit of inappropriate behavior before his termination.
Senator’s Response
Marie Alvarado-Gil’s attorney, Ognian Gavrilov, has dismissed the allegations as baseless and financially motivated. “A disgruntled former employee has fabricated an outlandish story, presented without evidence, to get a payday,” Gavrilov stated to Politico. “We expect that the senator will be fully cleared of any wrongdoing of these bogus, financially motivated claims.”
Political Background
Marie Alvarado-Gil was elected to the California State Senate in 2022 as a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party last month. “The Democratic Party is not the party that I signed up for decades ago,” she stated during her announcement.
Legal and Political Repercussions
The lawsuit against Alvarado-Gil is expected to have significant political and legal repercussions, potentially affecting her political career and public image. As the legal proceedings continue, more details are likely to emerge, shedding further light on the allegations.