Valencia v. County of Sonoma

Opinion

MARGULIES, J.

Plaintiff Joaquin Valencia was terminated by his employer, a department of defendant County of Sonoma (County). Valencia appealed that decision to defendant County Civil Service Commission (Commission), which vacated his termination. The Commission, however, imposed alternative discipline that was not authorized by the memorandum of understanding (MOU) governing the terms and conditions of Valencia’s employment. Valencia filed a petition for writ of mandate in the trial court challenging this discipline, contending that because the Commission was bound by the MOU it could…