Katie Porter has come under scrutiny after being filmed yelling at a staff member and throwing a fit during a televised interview this week.
The candidate for governor of California is reportedly even harsher when the cameras are off, as revealed by a former staff member to The Post on Friday.
One of the attorney and politician’s most unkind methods involves diminishing her younger employees’ worth by speaking about them in the third person while they are present.
Courtesy Sasha Georgiades
“She typically targeted the quieter and more reserved staffers, those who wouldn’t speak up and say, ‘that’s not appropriate,’” remembered Sasha Georgiades, a former Wounded Warrior Fellow and Navy officer who worked in Porter’s office from 2020 to 2022, in an interview with The Post.
“Attacking those who seem less likely to retaliate really reveals a lot about someone’s character,” she remarked.
“Especially in politics, where the aim is to serve the public. It’s essential to uplift the quieter voices; that’s my perspective,” she added.
This past Tuesday, Porter nearly stormed out of an interview with CBS when confronted with an unfavorable question. In a video from 2021, she can be heard angrily saying, “Get out of my f–king shot,” as a staff member inadvertently crossed into the frame.
Georgiades described working under Porter as dealing with a Jekyll and Hyde personality, never certain which version of Porter would arrive each day.
“Her mood would shift dramatically if something went awry,” Georgiades recalled, recounting an occasion when her team prepared for a Facebook video shoot that did not meet Porter’s standards.
“She was talking to me while the other girl was present, saying, ‘I don’t even know why she’s here. I could handle this job better than her.’ This behavior was extremely inappropriate, especially since the girl was right there,” Georgiades recounted.
“It’s dehumanizing and demoralizing. You end up questioning your purpose: Why am I even here?” Georgiades reflected.
In July 2022, Georgiades shared
text conversations with Porter highlighting the toxic atmosphere of the workplace. After both tested positive for COVID-19 following an in-person meeting, Porter sent irate messages blaming the asymptomatic Georgiades for the infection—and subsequently terminated her employment.
Porter’s campaign has yet to respond to The Post’s request for feedback.
The former congresswoman has also faced allegations from her ex-husband, with whom she shares three children. He described in a restraining order how she once allegedly poured hot mashed potatoes over his head and cursed him out in front of their kids.
She responded with her own restraining order request, claiming her husband was abusive. Their divorce proceedings and co-parenting arrangements have since been resolved, according to court records reviewed by The Post.
Originally from Iowa, Porter spent time as a representative for California from 2019 until 2025, based in Orange County.
Georgiades believes the latest incidents should serve as a serious red flag for those considering voting for Porter to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026.
“It’s not just a one-off incident. If there is a consistent pattern of Porter’s cruelty, that’s something we must recognize and consider when thinking about our political choices,” she stated.
Despite her challenging experiences, Georgiades remains resilient. She continues her dedicated work and operates The Apple of Helen, a nonprofit aimed at helping military sexual trauma survivors.
Moreover, Georgiades expresses a surprising degree of empathy toward her former boss, suggesting that Porter’s demeanor may not always have been so harsh.
“I genuinely believe that when she started, she had good intentions,” Georgiades remarked. “However, fame can change people, especially if they aren’t accustomed to that level of attention or recognition when growing up.”
