Facts

John Vidovich filed suit against the County of Los Angeles and the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City in relation to the removal of Vidovich from his position as a fire marshal for the city of Los Angeles.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Vidovich claimed he was removed from his position due to his reporting of alleged illegal acts committed by the city's Fire Protection Bureau, which he learned of during the course of his employment. Vidovich claimed that the city, rather than taking action based on the allegations, retaliated by removing him from his position in exchange for roughly $350,000 in political contributions by the United Firefighters of Los Angeles to various elected city officials. As a result of his termination, Vidovich claimed he suffered emotional distress.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants claimed Vidovich was removed from his position due to issues with his leadership skills, and Vidovich did not report alleged misconduct until some time after alleged friction developed between Vidovich and the union. Further, defendants alleged the union filed a claim of unfair labor practices against Vidovich in September 2015, and throughout 2015 and early 2016, the union complained that Vidovich was instituting changes to the terms and conditions of employment in the Fire Protection Bureau without responding to meet and confer requests. Defendants additionally claimed the union voted that it had no confidence in Vidovich's continued leadership as fire marshal in March 2016 and the union asked for Vidovich's removal to avoid a smear campaign against the fire chief and his family.

Result

The parties reached a settlement before trial, with defendants agreeing to pay $800,000 to settle Vidovich's claims.