Redlands pays $475,000 to settle another police harassment lawsuit

Community Forward Redlands: The Redlands City Council approved a $475,000 settlement Tuesday with former police forensic specialist Geneva Holzer, who alleged sexual harassment, retaliation and a cover-up involving former Deputy Chief Michael Reiss. The council acted in closed session on a unanimous vote. The city admits no liability; Holzer will resign, release all claims and dismiss her 2023 suit with prejudice.

Holzer alleged she found and tested a chair in a restricted evidence area in 2019, that it tested positive for semen, and that supervisors ordered it destroyed to keep the finding quiet. Reiss was placed on leave in January 2023 and retired that March.

The city has now paid about $4.25 million to resolve lawsuits tied to allegations involving Reiss and the department: $1.7 million to two officers in 2023, $872,000 to former Deputy Chief Travis Martinez in 2025, $1.2 million to former Community Service Officer Julie Alvarado-Salcido in 2025, and this settlement.