Donna Person, a former employee of an Oregon-based corporation, has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging wrongful termination and retaliation. The complaint was filed by Jay S. Rothman & Associates in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura on August 19, 2025. The defendant in this case is Lithia Motors, Inc., along with other unnamed parties.
The lawsuit centers around several allegations made by Donna Person against Lithia Motors, Inc., including constructive wrongful termination, whistleblower retaliation, and violations of California’s labor laws. According to the complaint, Person was employed as an auditor from 1996 until her resignation in 2023. During her tenure, she reported instances of employees falsifying customer signatures on official documents to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Following her report and cooperation with DMV investigators, Person claims she received her first negative performance review in nearly three decades and faced severe harassment from colleagues she had reported.
Person alleges that the harassment escalated to such an extent that it forced her to take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Upon preparing to return to work, her doctor advised against it due to the hostile environment she would face. Consequently, Person resigned under what she describes as constructive termination due to age discrimination and retaliation for whistleblowing activities.
The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court. She demands damages for lost wages and benefits due to alleged wrongful acts by Lithia Motors. Additionally, she requests compensation for emotional distress caused by the hostile work environment and retaliatory actions taken against her. Furthermore, Person is pursuing statutory penalties for unpaid wages and non-compliant wage statements under California labor laws.
Representing Donna Person is attorney Jay S. Rothman from Jay S. Rothman & Associates based in Woodland Hills, California. The case has been assigned Case No. 2025 ClUVWT 049259 at the Ventura Superior Court Hall of Justice District.
Source: 2025CUWT049289_Donna_Person_v_LIthia_Motors_Complaint_County_of_Ventura.pdf
Source: 2025CUWT049289_Donna_Person_v_LIthia_Motors_Complaint_County_of_Ventura.pdf
Source: 2025CUWT049289_Donna_Person_v_LIthia_Motors_Complaint_County_of_Ventura.pdf
Source: 2025CUWT049289_Donna_Person_v_LIthia_Motors_Complaint_County_of_Ventura.pdf
