Judge Orders Mental Exam in Los Angeles Lawsuit
A former senior field deputy suing the city for wrongful termination must undergo an independent mental health evaluation.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Corruption
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In employment lawsuits, should courts have the power to mandate independent psychiatric examinations of plaintiffs?
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has granted the city's request to have former senior field deputy Angie Reyes-English undergo an independent mental health evaluation. The exam is part of a wrongful termination lawsuit where the plaintiff alleges her mental health declined due to workplace harassment.
Why it matters
The city maintains the evaluation is necessary to assess the validity of the plaintiff's claims for emotional distress damages. Reyes-English, who claims she was a whistleblower, is seeking damages stemming from her employment and subsequent termination.
A judge ruled the mental health evaluation must be recorded on video and audio, with the psychiatrist prohibited from questioning the plaintiff about her sexual history. The court proceeding follows the firing of the plaintiff on Jan. 9, 2024.
The players
Angie Reyes-English
She is a former senior field deputy who is suing the city of Los Angeles for wrongful termination.
Curren Price
He is a Los Angeles Councilman currently facing 12 felony public corruption charges, including embezzlement and perjury.
William E. Weinberger
He is the judge who granted the request for the independent mental health evaluation.
Marc A. Cohen
He is the psychiatrist tasked with performing the court-ordered mental health evaluation.
The details
The evaluation will be conducted by Dr. Marc A. Cohen at his Beverly Hills office, with the session strictly limited to the psychiatrist and the plaintiff. The City Attorney's Office sought the exam to challenge the plaintiff's assertions regarding her psychological state and emotional distress.
Timeline
Angie Reyes-English was hired as a senior field deputy in July 2013.
The plaintiff was terminated from her position on Jan. 9, 2024.
The court-ordered mental health examination is set for Nov. 4 or Nov. 9.
The trial for the wrongful termination lawsuit is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2027.
Legal Context
The litigation involving Angie Reyes-English follows the standard procedures set forth in California Government Code Section 12940 regarding workplace discrimination and harassment claims. The court's ruling on discovery procedures follows the established pattern set by this statute regarding evidentiary standards in wrongful termination cases.
The ongoing legal proceedings involving high-ranking city officials and former staff may impact local governance and Council District 9 operations. Residents may face continued scrutiny regarding the administration of local offices as these corruption and employment cases move through the court system.
The takeaway
This case highlights the complexities of documenting emotional distress in high-stakes public sector employment litigation. Parties involved in similar lawsuits should be prepared for rigorous court-mandated discovery processes regarding their mental health claims.
What happens next
The mental health evaluation is scheduled for November 4 or November 9, 2026. The civil trial for the wrongful termination lawsuit is set to commence on January 5, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing local government investigations, visit the Los Angeles Corruption section.
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In employment lawsuits, should courts have the power to mandate independent psychiatric examinations of plaintiffs?
