Ex-employee for Dolores Huerta Foundation sues organization over labor violations

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A former employee of the Dolores Huerta Foundation has filed a lawsuit accusing the organization of labor violations and retaliation.

The 25-page court document filed on behalf of Ruth Sanchez was initially submitted in September 2025 and lists 11 complaints.

Sanchez was employed by the Dolores Huerta Foundation for five years.

She alleges she discovered that a $95,000 grant she secured for the foundation was not being used properly.

When she brought up her concerns, Sanchez says she was fired.

The woman also alleges she frequently worked 60-hour weeks and put in overtime but was never properly compensated for those extra hours.

The Huerta Foundation released a statement saying in part:

"We are deeply committed to fostering a work environment where every member of our team feels safe, valued, and able to thrive both personally and professionally."

The statement goes on to say: "We were made aware of the lawsuit filed by a former employee who was impacted by an organizational realignment. It is unfortunate the employee chose to file this action without first affording the Foundation the opportunity to respond to and possibly resolve the matter."

News of the lawsuit comes a week after Dolores Huerta broke her silence, alleging the late farm labor leader Cesar Chavez sexually assaulted her years ago.

This new lawsuit now puts the 95-year-old woman's Foundation in the spotlight with a scheduled jury trial hearing set for January 2028.