Former assistant to Fresno County supervisor is suing for wrongful termination

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Key Takeaways
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• Jennifer Ortega, a former assistant to Supervisor Garry Bredefeld, filed a civil lawsuit.
• Ortega alleges Daniel Gai cursed, yelled and thrust his fingers inches from her face.
• Ortega says she was fired without cause on Sept. 5, 2025 after reporting the incident.

A former assistant to Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld has filed a civil lawsuit alleging wrongful termination after she filed a complaint over workplace violence.

Jennifer Ortega, who was Bredefeld’s community relations and digital media manager, alleges in her lawsuit that her supervisor Daniel Gai, Bredefeld’s chief of staff, cursed at her using swear words and thrust his fingers inches from her face, threatening her by saying, “Don’t play games with me.”

Ortega, a former television news anchor, is being represented by Laura Brown and Peter Bradley of Bradley & Brown of Fresno.

Sonja Dosti, Fresno County spokesperson, said that while the county has not been served with the lawsuit, she cannot comment on pending or current litigation.

Said Bredefeld: “We don’t normally comment on pending claims or litigation, but in this case, I know the county’s actions were completely justified and the many facts will demonstrate Ms. Ortega’s claim is baseless and her lies and misrepresentations will be very evident.”

The incident happened in the supervisor’s office on June 13, 2025, after Ortega sent a text message to Bredefeld and Gai regarding a request for a media interview.

“During this performance, Plaintiff was sitting in her office while Gai paced around in front of her, while yelling. Plaintiff was concerned for her safety because she was aware that Gai had been convicted of domestic violence. Gai was positioned between Plaintiff and the door and Plaintiff felt trapped in the office while Gai paced around and yelled at her,” according to the complaint.

Fresno County Superior Court records show that in January 2020, Gai pleaded no contest to one count of committing corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, three counts of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, and one count of child endangerment. He was sentenced to four years probation.

Ortega further alleges in the complaint, “Plaintiff was afraid that Gai would attack her or otherwise make unconsented and unwanted physical contact of her face with his fingers or hand. Plaintiff asked him to move away from her and to open the door because he was making her uncomfortable and afraid. Gai left Plaintiff’s office to return to his own office. A few minutes later, Gai told Plaintiff to go home because she was done for the day.”

Several days later, Gai met with Ortega in a conference room, where he apologized for his actions and said it would never happen again.

Gai could not be reached for comment Monday.

In her complaint, Ortega said the situation in the office was never the same again. She felt ostracized, which affected her ability to do her job.

Ortega was terminated without cause on Sept. 5 2025. There was no reason given for her firing. She had no write-ups, no warnings, and her job performance was satisfactory, according to the complaint.

“As a proximate result of Defendants’ retaliation, Plaintiff was damaged by being deprived of income and benefits that she would otherwise have earned. In addition, Plaintiff has been caused to suffer anxiety, depression and other emotional distress in an amount to be proven at trial,” the complaint states.

The case is scheduled for a case management conference on Nov. 11.