UPDATE: A security guard at the de Young Museum in San Francisco has launched a lawsuit citing a disturbing pattern of sexual harassment and retaliation that she claims forced her out of her job. The suit, filed on February 20, 2024, names the Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the City and County of San Francisco, and security supervisor Patrick Smithwick.
Ezra Iturribarria alleges that her superior made repeated derogatory comments about her body, including calling her a “prostitute” and using vulgar terms. She claims he suggested sexual encounters involving himself and his wife, stating, “You, me, and [my] wife would have a good time.” This behavior, she asserts, severely impacted her work life, prompting her to seek damages of at least $25,000.
According to court documents, Iturribarria reported the harassment on October 2, but alleges that the museum conducted what she describes as a “sham investigation.” After being informed that her supervisor would resume overseeing her work, she opted for unpaid leave, scheduled to return on April 1, contingent on her psychologist’s advice.
This lawsuit brings to light previous controversies surrounding the de Young Museum’s security operations. In 2023, significant public backlash arose when staff allegedly refused to provide a defibrillator to assist a man who collapsed outside the museum and subsequently died. This incident led to widespread criticism and prompted a review of emergency procedures at the museum.
Additionally, records from the federal government indicate that Smithwick’s private security company was fined in 2013 for employment-related violations, raising further concerns about the management of security personnel at the museum.
Current and former security guards report that this lawsuit is part of a troubling trend within the Fine Arts Museums, with multiple employees filing grievances and lawsuits in recent years. Observers describe a cycle of complaints and legal actions that highlight systemic issues within the museum’s security department.
Union representation has also emerged as a contentious issue. Security guards are represented by SEIU Local 1021, which also represents supervisors, creating potential conflicts of interest during grievance procedures. Workers express concerns about the impartiality of their complaints, even as SEIU 1021 asserts that it manages these situations to avoid conflicts.
As the lawsuit progresses through the San Francisco Superior Court, it may lead to further scrutiny of the museum’s internal procedures and workplace culture. If no resolution is reached through mediation, the case could advance to discovery and potentially a jury trial.
The implications of this case extend beyond Iturribarria, raising critical questions about how the de Young Museum and the City and County of San Francisco address workplace complaints. This ongoing situation continues to shed light on labor practices at one of the city’s prominent cultural institutions, emphasizing the importance of employee safety and accountability in the workplace.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
