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Employment Law
Race Discrimination
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

Roger Sutton v. City of Riverside Police Department

Published: Jan. 7, 2006 | Result Date: Oct. 20, 2005 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: RIC346348 Verdict –  $1,640,940

Judge

Joan F. Burgess

Court

Riverside Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Samantha P. Goodman

B. Scott Silverman
(Signature Resolution)


Defendant

Patrick L. Hurley
(Office of Contra Costa County Counsel)

Eugene P. Ramirez
(Manning & Kass Ellrod Ramirez Trester LLP)

Trevor Grimm


Experts

Plaintiff

Penny E. Harrington
(technical)

Robert Crandall
(technical)

Defendant

Bradley P. Smith
(technical)

Clarence R. Chapman
(technical)

Facts

The plaintiff, Roger Sutton, 45, is an African-American police officer employed at the Riverside Police Dept. In
1998, during a burglary investigation, SuttonÆs K-9 bit a colleague. A yearlong investigation ensued and
resulted in Sutton being dropped from the K-9 squad in 1999. After being demoted, Sutton sued the Riverside
Police Dept. for racial discrimination, racial harassment, retaliation, and intentional infliction of emotional
distress.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $200,000. No defense offer.

Specials in Evidence

$1,945 $139,000

Damages

The plaintiff sought an unspecified amount of damages for emotional distress.

Injuries

The plaintiff was dismissed from the K-9 squad and was denied overtime opportunities. The plaintiff suffered emotional distress and took a one-year leave of absence from work.

Deliberation

1.5 days

Poll

12-0

Length

16 days


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