Facts

In 1984, the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority hired Sheri Dillon, a reserve police officer for the city of Burbank. In 1991, Dillon was promoted to the rank of sergeant for the Airport Authority. As a sergeant, plaintiff supervised several officers.

In 2002, Dillon began dating Dios Marrero, who was the executive director of the Airport Authority. In 2003, Marrero sought a more intimate romantic relationship with Dillon. In 2005, Dillon suffered an injury when she fell off of her chair. The next year, Marrero and the Airport Authority, through a negotiated memorandum of understanding, cancelled all their police officers' full salary worker's compensation benefits, including Dillon's. Later, Dillon accepted a light-duty position, but was advised that because she could not return to full duty and wear appropriate and necessary equipment, she would be terminated. Plaintiff was terminated on Feb. 1, 2007.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff contended that she was wrongfully terminated and retaliated against because she resisted Marrero's advances. The plaintiff also claimed that the Airport Authority failed to accommodate her work restrictions.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
The defendant contended that no retaliation occurred because all decisions made regarding benefits were applicable to all police officers as a result of economic conditions. The defendant also contended that it made every effort to accommodate plaintiff but she refused the most minimal equipment requirements.

Injuries

The plaintiff claimed emotional distress.

Result

The jury awarded the plaintiff $976,962.

Other Information

FILING DATE: March 10, 2008.