Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva is officially out of a long-running civil rights fight at the courthouse. On March 30, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Randolph M. Hammock signed off on a ruling that dismisses Villanueva as a defendant from a lawsuit brought by veteran Sheriff’s Department secretary Cynthia Gallegos, taking him out of the case “with prejudice” and leaving Los Angeles County as the main target.
The written order means Gallegos cannot try again to sue Villanueva personally over the same claims, according to MyNewsLA. The case itself dates back to an initial complaint filed in October 2022 and then reworked through several amended versions as the sides fought over what could stay in and what had to come out.
What Gallegos Alleged
Gallegos has logged more than 22 years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and was tapped as acting senior secretary 5 in October 2021. According to her lawsuit, she ranked first among applicants for the permanent promotion but was still passed over. As detailed by The AV Times, Gallegos claims Villanueva shut down her promotion because she had backed one of his political rivals, then instead elevated a candidate tied to his top fundraiser, a hire the suit describes as known for “chaos and discord.”
Her filings argue the county should be held responsible for what she characterizes as politically driven personnel moves inside the department.
Political Backdrop
Villanueva lost his reelection bid for sheriff on Nov. 8, 2022, to Robert Luna, a result covered by outlets including ABC7. He has since launched a political comeback effort, announcing a bid to reclaim the sheriff’s office in 2026.
With this ruling, a high-profile name drops off the caption in a case that has mirrored the political and personal rivalries roiling the Sheriff’s Department in recent years.
What’s Next In Court
Villanueva may be out, but the lawsuit is not. County lawyers are set to ask the court to throw out the remaining claims against the county at a hearing scheduled for April 15, 2026, MyNewsLA reports. From here on, the legal fight centers on whether the county’s hiring and promotion decisions trampled Gallegos’ civil rights.
Why The Ruling Matters
A dismissal “with prejudice” is about as final as it gets in civil court, at least for Villanueva. Gallegos is barred from refiling claims against him personally, which narrows potential individual liability while leaving the county very much on the hook if any of her claims stick.
The decision streamlines the case heading into the April hearing and removes one immediate legal distraction for Villanueva as he tries to reenter the political arena. At the same time, it keeps a spotlight on how internal promotions and power struggles inside the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department can spill into high-stakes courtroom battles and countywide politics.
