Facts

Sara Alfaro was a firefighter with the City of San Diego Fire Department. Alfaro sued her employer and her supervisors after her promotion to captain.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended she was subjected to sexual harassment by male fire department employees, which included groping, unzipping her shirt, and sexually suggestive text messages. She contended that defendant failed to prevent male employees from sexually harassing her, which resulted in discrimination against her as a female firefighter. Defendant also retaliated against plaintiff after she reported that male firefighters had placed a picture of a penis on her shower towel and were exhibiting aggressive sexually insensitive behavior towards plaintiff. Plaintiff contended that defendant was aware that the fire department was a "boy's club" and that plaintiff was subjected to harassment but permitted the activity to continue.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants denied the contentions.

Injuries

Sara Alfaro alleged she suffered emotional distress.

Result

The parties agreed to settle the case for $525,000 prior to the start of trial. The city agreed to pay plaintiff on behalf of all defendants.