California Treasurer Fiona Ma launches legal defense fund to fight harassment lawsuit

California Treasurer Fiona Ma has raised more than $50,000 for her legal defense against a lawsuit that alleges she sexually harassed an employee, campaign finance filings show.

Ma, who is being sued as both an individual and a state official, is being represented by Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office and by the Los Angeles-based private law firm Larson LLP, according to court filings.

Ma’s former employee Judith Blackwell filed a lawsuit against her in July, alleging Ma exposed her backside and climbed into bed with her while the two women shared lodging on business trips. In the complaint, Blackwell, who is African American, also alleges Ma discriminated against her based on her race and fired her for rejecting her romantic advances.

Ma has denied the claims in the lawsuit.

“The allegations in this desperate and meritless lawsuit are being made against me in both my individual and official capacities, so it is entirely reasonable, and should be expected, that I would retain outside counsel as well as being represented by the Attorney General,” she wrote in a statement.

The top donors to her legal fund include Rancho Cucamonga developers Jeffrey Burum and Reggie King, who each gave $10,000, according to contribution reports filed with the state.

Loyola Law School Professor Jessica Levinson, an expert on government ethics, said it makes sense that Ma would raise money for her defense because she is being sued as an individual, not just as a government official.

California law allows politicians to create legal defense funds when facing legal or administrative proceedings “arising directly out of the conduct of an election campaign, the electoral process, or the performance of the officer’s governmental activities and duties.”

The Legislature narrowed California’s legal defense fund law in 2019 after the #MeToo movement swept through the Capitol, leading to the resignation of several lawmakers including state Sen. Tony Mendoza.

In 2018, Mendoza established a legal defense fund as he faced allegations inappropriate behavior toward women who worked in his office. Staff at the state’s campaign finance watchdog, the Fair Political Practices Commission, initially told the Artesia Democrat that he could establish the legal defense fund, but commissioners later rescinded that decision.

An investigation by the Legislature found Mendoza likely engaged in “unwanted flirtatious or sexually suggestive behavior” toward six women. He resigned.

The next year, the Legislature passed a law requiring politicians to reimburse legal defense funds for their costs if they are found liable for sexual harassment, abuse or assault.

Other politicians have also used outside funding sources to retain private counsel. For example, two top law firms have given Gov. Gavin Newsom free legal help on his death penalty moratorium and in the state’s legal battle over prison health care. He reported the legal work as “behested payments” -- donations made at a politician’s request for charitable or governmental work.

This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 9:29 AM.