Facts

Plaintiff Mark Sauvao had been working for the LAPD since 1993, and in the LAPD K-9 bomb detection unit for twelve years, when he was suddenly transferred to the LAPD K-9 bomb squad after he submitted a complaint against his supervisors. Sauvao alleged that the transfer was initiated following his reporting of supervisors who had engaged in a persistent pattern of abuse, including verbal harassment targeting his Samoan ancestry and claiming that he had extorted fellow K-9 handlers for their overtime shifts. Sauvao requested intervention from his commanding officers, including that these supervisors be transferred out of his unit, but he was transferred out of the unit instead.

Sauvao alleged that the LAPD K-9 bomb squad was a less prestigious assignment and that he had less overtime opportunities at bomb squad. Additionally, Sauvao alleged that his supervisors opened an internal affairs investigation against him because of his Samoan ancestry

Sauvao claimed that the Defendant's conduct diminished his reputation and humiliated him, which caused him to lose his passion for his work and forced him to retire several years earlier than he had planned.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff alleged Defendant engaged in racial discrimination, retaliation, and whistle blower retaliation.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant denied all contentions, and any injury or damage was due to Plaintiff's own conduct in choosing to retire early.

Result

$11.56 million jury verdict for the Plaintiff, $10.5 million of which was for emotional distress.