Sexual Harassment

After 25 years of service, Senior Assistant District Attorney Tracy Miller filed a landmark lawsuit against the County of Orange, District Attorney Todd Spitzer, and Chief Assistant DA Shawn Nelson. Miller alleged the two top officials intentionally created a hostile work environment and subjected her to retaliation after she defended junior female colleagues who had reported sexual harassment by a close associate of Spitzer. Miller claimed this systematic campaign of humiliation and marginalization forced her into early retirement—a constructive termination. The San Diego jury ultimately sided with Miller, holding the defendants liable and awarding a total verdict of $3.025 million, including $25,000 in punitive damages personally paid by Todd Spitzer.