Kathryn Frieders, Renae Kerner, Jaime Franke v. City of Glendale, et al.
Published: Nov. 25, 2003 | Result Date: Jun. 2, 2003 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC263271 Verdict – $3,334,830
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Christopher Brizzolara
(Law Offices of Gregory W. Smith)
Bradley C. Gage
(Goldberg & Gage )
Defendant
Jesse M. Caryl
(Bent, Caryl & Kroll, LLP)
Irma Rodriguez Moisa
(Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo)
Facts
The plaintiffs are all female officers with the Glendale Police Department. They sued the city of Glendale for hostile work environment, retaliation, failure to take corrective action, sex discrimination, and quid pro quo harassment. The plaintiffs contended that they had been asked out on dates by their supervisors, had been touched inappropriately, had been subjected to suggestive comments and sexual references, had been forced to watch a videotape depicting oral sex and had been retaliated against for filing complaints. The defendant city denied the allegations.
Settlement Discussions
The three plaintiffs collectively made C.C.P. Section 998 demand of $1,797,000. The defendant offered a waiver of fees and costs.
Damages
The plaintiffs claimed damages for the alleged sexual harassment.
Result
Defense on gender and pregnancy discrimination claim.
Other Information
The plaintiffs' post-trial motions to add Government Code Section 3309.5 penalties were denied on Aug. 28, 2003. The plaintiffs' counsel has indicated that with attorney fees, the total award is expected to exceed $6 million. The defendants' motions for new trial and judgment notwithstanding the verdict were denied.
Deliberation
three weeks
Poll
12-0 (as to hostile work environment claim and failure to take corrective action for all plaintiffs), 11-1 (as to retaliation for one plaintiff), 11-1 (quid pro quo claim for one plaintiff)
Length
four months
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