This case challenges the Goleta Water District’s vaccine mandate that forces employees with religious exemptions to take an unpaid leave of absence or pay for bi-weekly COVID-19 tests which can cost up to $800 a month.

This case challenges the Goleta Water District’s vaccine mandate that forces employees with religious exemptions to take an unpaid leave of absence or pay for bi-weekly COVID-19 tests which can cost up to $800 a month. The Plaintiffs must wear an N95 mask because they are unvaccinated and cannot enter certain buildings while the vaccinated do not have to wear an N95 mask and are not subject to building limitations even though they, too, can still transmit COVID-19. Upon information and belief, the District does not even follow up with the vaccinated to make sure they are boosted and does not ensure contractors are abiding by the vaccine mandate. Plaintiffs raise claims under the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Press Release

ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM

FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, November 16, 2022

CONTACT: NICOLE VELASCO AT 951-304-7583 or

MEDIA@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM

For Immediate Release 11/16/2022, Murrieta, California – Advocates for Faith & Freedom has secured a six-figure settlement award this week for a group of Goleta Water District employees who were subjected to a discriminatory vaccine policy.

On June 1, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against Goleta Water District and several government officials after they were provided with religious exemptions against the vaccine and were given one of two unreasonable choices: take an unpaid leave of absence, or pay for bi-weekly COVID-19 tests, which could cost up to $800 a month. Unvaccinated employees were also restricted from entering certain buildings and were required to wear an N95 mask.

“We’re happy to see these Plaintiffs vindicated and receive substantial reimbursement,” commented Robert Tyler, President of Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “This judgment sets a precedent that government officials will be held accountable when they discriminate and retaliate against employees for exercising their religious beliefs.”

The settlement resulted not only in Goleta Water District agreeing to pay each plaintiff $25,000, but also agreeing to enter into a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs. 

About Advocates for Faith & Freedom (www.faith-freedom.com): Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.

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Press Release

ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM

FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, June 01, 2022

CONTACT: NICOLE VELASCO AT 951-304-7583 or

MEDIA@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM

For Immediate Release 06/01/2022, Murrieta, California – Today, five employees filed a lawsuit against the Goleta Water District (“GWD”) and several government officials for enforcing a discriminatory and arbitrary vaccine mandate.

Plaintiffs’ religious beliefs prevent them from taking the COVID-19 vaccine or booster. GWD provides unvaccinated employees with religious exemptions one of two choices: take an unpaid leave of absence or pay for bi-weekly COVID-19 tests on their own time. The COVID-19 tests can cost up to $800 a month. Unvaccinated employees are also restricted from entering certain buildings and must wear an N95 mask.

Upon information and belief, GWD does not consider whether an employee previously had COVID-19 and therefore has effective anti-bodies. Meanwhile, GWD does not require vaccinated employees to wear an N95 mask or follow up with them to make sure they are boosted.

The Center for Disease Control has conceded that the vaccinated can still infect the unvaccinated and vice versa and has even recommended that fully vaccinated individuals wear masks indoors. The existing scientific literature reveals that the protection afforded to the community from natural immunity is at least as effective and durable as the efficacy levels of the most effective vaccines to date.

“GWD’s vaccine policy is irrational and discriminatory,” says Mariah Gondeiro, an attorney for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “GWD has no compelling reason to treat Plaintiffs differently than their vaccinated colleagues, especially considering several of them already contracted COVID-19.” “GWD can simply follow the same standard operating procedures they enforced during most the pandemic, which included social distancing, disinfecting high-risk areas, and wearing masks.”  

Plaintiffs allege the Defendants violated the First and Fourteenth Amendment as well as the Fair Employment and Housing Act, because they failed to negotiate with Plaintiffs in good faith to determine if less restrictive measures were available. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief and damages.

For additional comments and interviews, please email Mariah Gondeiro at media@faith-freedom.com or call 951-304-7583

About Advocates for Faith & Freedom (www.faith-freedom.com): Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.

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