A former correctional officer has filed a lawsuit against a state department, alleging violations of federal employment laws designed to protect military service members. Miguel Hinojosa, through his attorney Brian J. Lawler from Pilot Law, P.C., filed the complaint on November 6, 2025, in the Superior Court of California against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
Miguel Hinojosa, a Sergeant First Class with the United States Army Reserve, claims that his rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) were violated by his employer, CDCR. The lawsuit details how Hinojosa was employed as a Correctional Officer at Richard J. Donovan State Prison when he was deployed to Colombia for military service in September 2020. During his deployment and subsequent return, Hinojosa alleges that CDCR failed to uphold his employment rights as protected under USERRA.
According to the complaint, while Hinojosa was serving in Colombia as part of the Global War on Terrorism campaign, he received notices from CDCR accusing him of being overpaid during fiscal years 2020/21 and 2021/22. These notices were sent to an incorrect address while he was still deployed. Upon returning from deployment in May 2022 and later resuming work with CDCR in March 2024 after fulfilling various military obligations, Hinojosa faced issues regarding unpaid military leave pay and alleged overpayments.
The complaint highlights several key provisions of USERRA that Hinojosa believes were violated by CDCR. Specifically, it cites sections prohibiting discrimination based on military service and ensuring reemployment rights and benefits for returning service members. It accuses CDCR of taking adverse actions against Hinojosa due to his military obligations, including deductions in pay and denial of benefits.
Hinojosa seeks several forms of relief from the court: a declaration that CDCR’s conduct violated USERRA; back pay and front pay; liquidated damages equal to lost compensation or $50,000; compensatory damages; reasonable attorneys’ fees; and any other relief deemed just by the court.
The case is being handled by attorney Brian J. Lawler from Pilot Law, P.C., representing Miguel Hinojosa. The case ID is not explicitly mentioned in the document provided.
Source: 25CV027101_Miguel_Hinojosa_v_California_Department _Complaint_County_of_Sacramento_California.pdf
