California Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil is embroiled in a lawsuit filed by her former chief of staff, Chad Condit, who alleges she coerced him into sexual acts and created a toxic work environment. Filed in Sacramento Superior Court, the lawsuit claims Alvarado-Gil dismissed Condit after he resisted her advances.
Condit’s lawsuit alleges that Alvarado-Gil’s coercion involved “sexual acrobatics” during work trips, resulting in his back injury. He accuses both the senator and the California State Senate of violating employment laws. This legal action follows Alvarado-Gil’s recent switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party.
Alvarado-Gil’s office has not commented, but her attorney, Ognian Gavrilov, has dismissed the accusations as baseless, stating, “This lawsuit is absurd. We will fight it and win.”
The Condit family has a notable history in Central Valley politics, with Chad Condit’s father, Gary Condit, having faced scrutiny during the investigation into his intern Chandra Levy’s death, though he was never a suspect.
The lawsuit details Condit’s initial connection with Alvarado-Gil in 2022 during her state Senate campaign, which he managed. Following her election, she appointed him as her chief of staff. The suit alleges Alvarado-Gil began “grooming” Condit by discussing personal aspects of her life and questioning his fidelity.
By early 2023, Alvarado-Gil allegedly involved Condit in personal tasks and eventually coerced him into unwanted sexual acts during their travels. Condit claims the final incident occurred in a car, resulting in medical issues that required surgery. He asserts that rejecting Alvarado-Gil’s advances led to workplace tensions and inappropriate remarks in front of other employees.
The lawsuit includes a text message where Alvarado-Gil allegedly commented on a colleague’s attractiveness. Condit also alleges retaliatory actions, including disciplinary measures through the state Senate’s HR department and accusations of infidelity.
Condit’s termination in December is attributed to Alvarado-Gil’s retaliation. The lawsuit names the California State Senate as a defendant, accusing it of enabling her behavior. The Secretary of the Senate, Erika Contreras, stated that the Senate is reviewing the matter but cannot comment on pending litigation.
Condit seeks financial compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and damage to his professional reputation.
