This just in, please share on social media along with links to this petition. 

Lawndale, CA., March 20, 2026 — A Lawndale City Council Member has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit arising from allegations that Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department body-worn camera footage was accessed and used by City of Lawndale officials in connection with code enforcement matters involving her property.

The federal action, Suarez v. County of Los Angeles et al, Case No. 2:26-cv-02943, was filed on March 18, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The matter is identified as a Civil Rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

A related state court action, Bernadette Suarez v. County of Los Angeles et al, Case No. 26STCP00332, was filed on January 22, 2026 in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. That case is a Petition for Writ of Mandate and Declaratory Relief and names Sheriff Robert G. Luna and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

According to the state court petition, the cases involve allegations concerning the use of LASD body-worn camera footage by former Lawndale City Manager Sean Moore and Municipal Services Director Michael Reyes.

The petition alleges that, on or about January 29, 2025, Michael Reyes contacted Ms. Suarez regarding code enforcement matters and referenced details about her property that, according to the petition, were observable only from viewing the interior of the residence as captured in bodycam footage.

The petition also alleges that, on January 30, 2025, then-City Manager Sean Moore emailed the Council Member and provided her with a copy of the body-worn camera footage. According to the petition, that email stated in part: “One of the tools we used was the LASD body cam footage—I had staff put in a public records request from LASD. That really helped move things along!” The petition further alleges that Mr. Moore wrote: “I am providing a copy for your records LASD Body Cam Footage in case anyone tries to say you received special treatment from me, Greg, or staff to clear up the code complaints on your property.”

The petition states that Mr. Moore was not a law enforcement official and that the City Manager position is an administrative role responsible for municipal operations, not criminal investigations or law enforcement activities.

The lawsuits raise questions about the alleged acquisition, review, and use of law enforcement body-worn camera footage by non-law-enforcement municipal officials, and whether that conduct violated constitutional, statutory, or other legal protections.

The allegations remain subject to proof in court, and no findings on the merits have yet been made.