Lawsuit alleges California senator violated women's rights under the First Amendment

TURLOCK — Another lawsuit has been filed against California Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, alleging she violated a woman's First Amendment rights when the senator asked her to leave a news conference in Stanislaus County in June.

Kelly Coelho, the woman who filed the lawsuit, is seeking $5 million in damages.

On June 21, 2024, Coelho participated in a protest in Turlock against the housing of sexually violent offenders (SVPs), who are to be housed in Stanislaus County after their release, the complaint states. After the protest, Coelho went to the Turlock Police Department, where a community meeting and press conference on the SVP issue were taking place.

Alvarado-Gil, who spoke at the event, asked a Stanislaus County police officer to remove Coelho from police headquarters, the complaint states.

CBS Sacramento reached out to Alvarado-Gil's office for comment but did not receive a response as of publication of this article.

In early September, a separate lawsuit was filed against Alvarado-Gil, accusing her of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment by her former chief of staff.

In this first case, Alvarado-Gil's lawyer said the allegations came from a “disgruntled employee” and the senator expected a full exoneration.

The senator made headlines in early August when she announced she left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican Party.

Alvarado-Gil, 50, represents District 4, which includes Stanislaus, Placer, El Dorado, Nevada, Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera, Merced, Mono and Inyo counties.