Case: Rodas v. Kennedy
1:26-cv-02122 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: June 16, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) alleged repudiation of a mediated settlement that resolved a whistleblower retaliation dispute. The dispute was brought by an employee who reported human trafficking and gang-affiliated sponsors in HHS's Unaccompanied Children program.
On June 16, 2026, a federal employee sued HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleging that HHS breached a binding settlement agreement that was reached during Office of Special Counsel mediation concerning her whistleblower retaliation claims. The plaintiff further alleged that she had made protected disclosures in 2021 that HHS's Unaccompanied Children program was placing children with traffickers and MS-13-affiliated sponsors. HHS allegedly responded by removing her from her duties and retaliating against her.
The plaintiff also alleged that, during mediation on January 20, 2026, the parties agreed to resolve her claims through a settlement that included reassignment to an HHS GS-14 position, restoration of leave or equivalent compensation, expungement of adverse records, confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions, $250,000 in damages, and $15,300 in attorneys' fees. She claimed that HHS repeatedly confirmed the agreement while preparing written settlement documents, but in March 2026 informed her that the agreed terms were "off the table" and instead offered only overtime compensation of approximately $20,776.84 (later increased to $39,700), attorneys' fees, and standard release provisions. The plaintiff alleged that this constituted a breach of the parties' binding settlement agreement. She asserted claims for breach of contract, sought declaratory judgment and enforcement of the original settlement agreement, and requested attorneys' fees, costs, and related relief.
The court assigned the case to District Judge Rudolph Contreras on June 17, 2026. As of late July 2026, the court had not yet ruled on the merits of the plaintiff's claims.
Summary Authors
Benjamin Glicksman (7/28/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73492525/parties/rodas-v-kennedy/
Contreras, Rudolph (District of Columbia)
Siegel, Eric Lee (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73492525/rodas-v-kennedy/
Last updated Aug. 31, 2026, 3:12 a.m.
Docket for: RODAS v. KENNEDY
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 16, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Career federal employee and whistleblower
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Robert F. Kennedy
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-02122
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc.)
Case Summary of Rodas v. Kennedy, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48302/ (last updated 7/28/2026).