This Marin County-focused blog post recaps a newly filed lawsuit by Darrell Proschold, a former Ross Valley Sanitary District employee. He claims wrongful termination, persistent harassment, and retaliation after 13 years with the agency.
The complaint, filed in Marin County court, paints a troubling picture of workplace dynamics in the Ross Valley corridor. Towns like San Anselmo, Ross, Fairfax, and San Rafael set the stage for disputed actions, safety concerns, and messy training practices.
Discover hand-picked hotels and vacation homes tailored for every traveler. Skip booking fees and secure your dream stay today with real-time availability!
Browse Accommodations Now
What this case may mean for Marin County residents
Folks in San Rafael, San Anselmo, Fairfax, and Ross are watching local governance more closely now. This lawsuit stirs up ongoing debates about how Marin County agencies handle safety reporting, whistleblower protections, and internal discipline.
In the tight-knit Ross Valley area, people are curious about how nearby towns—Mill Valley, Tiburon, Fairfax—deal with claims of harassment and improper conduct in public service. There’s a sense that this case could send ripples through the region.
Allegations against the Ross Valley Sanitary District
Darrell Proschold alleges a long pattern of workplace bullying and retaliation after he reported safety violations. He says the district tried to push him out of a job he’d held for over a decade.
The complaint describes him being yelled at and physically intimidated. He recounts three incidents where someone struck a loaded backpack against his head.
- Persistent bullying and retaliation, including verbal abuse and isolation within teams working out of Marin towns like San Anselmo, Ross, and Fairfax.
- Allegations of physical intimidation, including three assaults involving a backpack, supposedly used to instill fear and justify disciplinary actions.
- Claims that reports were altered to misrepresent events and cast Proschold in a bad light while delaying investigations.
- Assertion that he got assigned tasks without proper training and was denied reasonable accommodation by not receiving desk training for a possible alternative role.
- Statements that he suffered serious work-related injuries to his lower back and left knee, with his doctor saying he couldn’t work at the time of his termination in late December 2025.
- Legal grounds cited include disability protections, whistleblower protections, falsification of employment records, and alleged bad-faith negotiating by the district.
Proschold wants his job back, along with back pay, benefits, and other damages. His attorney says damages could reach several million dollars.
The named defendants include the Ross Valley Sanitary District and three district staff members: Felicia Newhouse (assistant general manager), John Vogel (operations manager), and Matthew Jazuk (senior collection system worker).
The complaint highlights a dramatic dispute within a Marin County utility that serves San Anselmo, Ross, Fairfax, and nearby towns. This situation is quickly turning into a high-stakes courtroom showdown in Marin Superior Court.
District leadership isn’t backing down. Steve Moore, the general manager, called the claims baseless and said Proschold was fired for cause and never pursued the union appeal process.
The case landed on Judge Sheila Shah Lichtblau’s desk. A case management conference is set for Oct. 6, a date Marin County residents might circle as this legal drama unfolds not far from San Rafael’s Main Street.
District response and the courtroom timeline
- Steve Moore, the Ross Valley Sanitary District General Manager, calls the allegations baseless. He says they terminated employment for cause and points out the employee didn’t use the union’s appeal process.
- The suit names three district staffers as defendants—Felicia Newhouse, John Vogel, and Matthew Jazuk. The district itself is also a defendant.
- Judge Sheila Shah Lichtblau is handling the case. There’s a case management conference on Oct. 6, so things are still in the early stages of what might be a long Marin County civil dispute.
If you live anywhere in Marin—from Sausalito up to Novato, or over in San Rafael—this case might make you wonder how public agencies here really handle workplace safety and whistleblower protections. In places like San Anselmo and Ross, where local boards and district offices matter to daily life, the outcome could shape future policies and maybe even shake up the culture of accountability in public service.
As the Marin County Superior Court moves forward, folks should keep an eye out for new details about the district’s defense or any fresh evidence. It’s a story that could echo through San Rafael, Fairfax, and the North Bay for quite a while.
Here is the source article for this story: Ross Valley Sanitary District sued by fired employee
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now
Cities and Towns in Marin County
Things to Do in Marin County
Places to Stay in Marin County
