Anthony Coppola, M.D. et al. vs California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Case Background

On April 07, 2017, Dr. Anthony Coppola filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against his employer California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation alleging retaliation and harassment for taking medical leave. The case was filed in San Joaquin County Superior Court, California. Judge George Abdullah, Jr. presided over the case. [Case number: STK-CV-UOE-2017-004267]

Cause

Dr. Anthony Coppola served the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) for over 20 years, from 1998 to 2019. He worked as chief psychiatrist at Deuel Vocational Institute (DVI), where performance reviews highlighted his exemplary service. DVI, a former correctional facility, closed on September 30, 2021. It functioned as a Reception Center for newly convicted inmates, who typically stayed for 60 to 100 days. Dr. Coppola joined CDCR in 1996 after completing a fellowship in forensic psychiatry. He initially worked at the California Institute for Men before briefly transferring to Patton State Hospital. In 1998, he returned to CDCR as chief psychiatrist at DVI. Over the years, he held various positions, including Senior Psychiatrist Supervisor and Chief of Mental Health. In October 2016, due to health issues and workplace stress from a new supervisor, Dr. Coppola's physician placed him on leave, with a return planned for February 2017. After he requested leave, he received disparaging emails from supervisors. Prior to his leave, he submitted a for