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Paloma Esquivel, a veteran journalist and assistant editor of De Los at the Los Angeles Times, has resigned after 17 years. She accused the newspaper’s leadership of ignoring serious HR complaints against managing editor Hector Becerra.
Allegations of Hostile Workplace Environment
Esquivel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, announced her resignation via the company’s Slack channel. She shared a letter she had sent to HR and Executive Editor Terry Tang on February 3. In her message, she alleged that Becerra made inappropriate and personal remarks about employees, particularly women and people of color.
She claimed that he unfairly criticized colleagues' talent, work ethic, and productivity. According to Esquivel, her complaints were ignored, leading to her decision to leave the company.
Public Letter Sparks Controversy
Esquivel’s letter highlighted a pattern of behavior by Becerra that she deemed unacceptable. She referenced a 2022 joint complaint made by multiple staff members against him. The complaint accused Becerra of direct insults and behind-the-scenes disparagement of colleagues.
In January 2025, Esquivel questioned editorial decisions made by Becerra, Tang, and billionaire owner Patrick Soon-Shiong on Slack. She claimed that Becerra later called her to shout at and berate her. According to Esquivel, when she pointed out that his behavior was inappropriate, he shifted the conversation to criticize her work as a reporter.
Management's Response to Complaints
Following Esquivel’s resignation, LA Times Chief HR Officer Nancy V. Antoniou responded on Slack, stating that the company takes employee concerns seriously. However, she also criticized Esquivel for discussing the matter in a public forum. Antoniou denied that the company ignored abuse claims and emphasized that such matters should be kept confidential.
Executive Editor Terry Tang also sent a newsroom-wide email but did not address Esquivel’s allegations. Instead, she focused on the emotional impact of saying goodbye to several longtime staff members.
LA Times Defends Managing Editor
In response to Esquivel’s allegations, Maria L. La Ganga, deputy managing editor for California and Metro, defended Becerra. She stated that he had built the most diverse and inclusive Metro desk in the paper’s history.
The LA Times also released a statement denying that complaints about abuse or hostility were ignored. However, the company declined to comment further, citing personnel confidentiality policies.
A Growing Crisis at LA Times?
Esquivel’s resignation follows a mass buyout that saw over 40 veteran staffers leave the LA Times in early February. Many believe these departures signal deeper issues within the organization. The controversy over Esquivel’s exit raises concerns about workplace culture and the handling of complaints within one of the nation’s most respected newspapers.
Her decision to speak out has drawn attention to issues of workplace fairness and inclusivity in journalism. Whether the LA Times will take further action remains to be seen, but the case has already sparked significant discussion within the industry.
