In a shocking turn of events, a fitness influencer and mother of two, Briana Ortega, has filed a federal lawsuit against Riverside County, California, alleging that a sheriff’s deputy stalked her for months while abusing his position of authority. The lawsuit accuses Deputy Eric Piscatella of violating Ortega’s civil rights by using law enforcement databases to illegally access her personal information and pursue a romantic relationship.
The disturbing allegations began when Ortega met Piscatella at a family festival in the Coachella area in September 2023. Initially harmless, their interaction escalated into troubling behavior that would ultimately lead to Piscatella losing his job and pleading guilty to multiple counts of misconduct. According to Ortega’s lawsuit, Piscatella used law enforcement resources to track her down after their brief encounter, despite the two not exchanging contact information.
In a recent discussion on the legal implications of the case, trial attorney Adante Pointer emphasized the severe impact such actions have on community trust in law enforcement. He stated that when police officers engage in misconduct, it breeds suspicion and diminishes public confidence in those sworn to protect and serve.
The lawsuit, filed in August, names several defendants, including Riverside County, Deputy Piscatella, Sheriff Chad Bianco, and a second deputy, Martinez Moreno. It claims that Piscatella’s predatory conduct violated Ortega’s civil rights and outlines a series of incidents where he misused his access to law enforcement databases to stalk her.
The complaint details how Piscatella allegedly conducted unauthorized searches using his patrol vehicle’s computer to obtain Ortega’s home address and other personal information. On multiple occasions, he is said to have approached her home while in uniform, raising concerns about the intimidation factor inherent in such an encounter.
Ortega reported feeling pressured during these interactions, leading her to provide information to Piscatella under duress. After initially seeking law enforcement assistance following a crime affecting her family, she alleges that Piscatella attempted to shift the conversation to his romantic interest in her.
The lawsuit highlights a pattern of escalating behavior, with Ortega claiming that Piscatella’s actions turned into an obsession, culminating in him showing up at her residence under false pretenses, claiming he was responding to a potential crime.
The legal arguments presented in the lawsuit include violations of civil rights under federal statutes, municipal liability, and breaches of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The legal team argues that the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department failed to monitor and enforce policies to prevent such misconduct, allowing a culture of abuse to flourish.
Riverside County has filed a response denying the allegations, citing a lack of sufficient information to address Ortega’s claims. The county also presented several affirmative defenses, including immunity from liability, which could complicate Ortega’s efforts to seek justice.
Despite Piscatella’s guilty plea to misconduct charges, which resulted in a minimal sentence of probation and community service, Ortega has expressed concerns about retaliation, leading her to avoid testifying against him in criminal court. This has raised questions about the prosecution’s ability to pursue additional charges, such as stalking, without her testimony.
As the case unfolds, it brings to light critical issues surrounding the accountability of law enforcement and the protection of citizens’ rights. Ortega’s lawsuit not only seeks justice for her experience but also aims to address systemic failures within the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that may have enabled such behavior.
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for community trust in law enforcement and the necessary reforms to ensure that such abuses of power do not go unchecked. The legal proceedings will be closely monitored as Ortega’s fight for justice continues.
