Facts

Plaintiff Willie Crawford brought an employment action against his employer, the City and County of San Francisco.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff contended that he was racially discriminated against, retaliated against, and wrongfully terminated in violation of public policy.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendant successfully struck plaintiff's state law claims under California's anti-SLAPP statute.

Result

Plaintiff settled with CCSF for $250,000, $100,000 was provided as wages, $100,000 was provided as a lump sum to cover attorney fees and personal injury damages, and $45,000 represented a waiver of an award of attorney fees the city was entitled to under a partially successful Anti-SLAPP motion. In exchange, he was permitted to retire in good standing and is receiving retirement benefits.

Other Information

The case was filed on March 2, 2015 in San Francisco Superior Court and removed on March 16, 2016 to the Federal District Court, Northern District of California. The San Francisco City Attorney's office was replaced by the defense firm in response to plaintiff bringing a motion to recuse the City Attorney's office based upon a conflict of interest, as the office was handling the termination efforts of the plaintiff while simultaneously defending the lawsuit for discrimination and retaliation.