Paul Lopez Ochoa says she was fired illegally, discriminated against because of her race, paid less than her colleagues and subject to intentional emotional distress and is suing her former station because of it.
Her former station, Santa Barbara ABC affiliate KEYT, reports Lopez filed a 17 count lawsuit against station owner NPG of California.
Lopez recently plead no contest to one count of driving under the influence, two counts of delaying or resisting a peace officer, one count of refusing a chemical test and one count of battery on a peace officer. She was given electronic monitoring for 50 days.
She was arrested for public intoxication in July 2013 and made headlines five months earlier when she disappeared suddenly. At the time, she blamed the disappearance on pneumonia and dehydration. Two years later, she was arrested for DUI and assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.
Lopez wants general and special damages based on damage to her reputation. A hearing is scheduled for early next year.