Federal lawsuit dismissed against Maritza Hurtado

Calexico city council member Maritza Hurtado said a weight she had on her shoulders for a year has been lifted now that a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against her. “I can continue to work for my community without having the cloud above my head that I’m dragging a lawsuit,” Hurtado said.

The lawsuit filed July of last year alleged Hurtado had conspired to violate the civil rights of several former police officers who were terminated from their jobs. “They filed a defamation, union busting, some of the causes like that. The defendants were myself, Michael Bostic, Richard Warne and one of our lieutenants,” Hurtado said. She denied having anything to do with the firings. “I never participated myself,” Hurtado said.

A federal judge agreed with Hurtado. “The judge found that to be frivolous,” Hurtado said.

Hurtado feels vindicated and cleared of any wrongdoing. “The most important thing for me is that a federal judge has agreed that my behavior as a council member was not inappropriate,” Hurtado said. But the lawsuit moves forward against other defendants in the case.

Hurtado said her daughter, as well as her entire family, always supported her through this ordeal. “She told me, ‘mom, you’re not a quitter. And you need to continue’, “Hurtado said.