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CONFIDENTIAL

Jun. 29, 2002

Employment Law
Race Discrimination
Retaliation

Confidential

Settlement –  $699,000

Court

L.A. Superior Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Bradley C. Gage
(Goldberg & Gage )


Defendant

Jess J. Gonzalez

Paul N. Paquette


Experts

Plaintiff

Rodney Bluestone M.D.
(medical)

Alfred M. Bloch
(medical)

Dennis Ainbinder
(medical)

J. Peter Fiske
(medical)

Martin S. Goldfarb
(medical)

David L. Friedman
(medical)

Facts

The plaintiffs, four police officers, alleged that they suffered gender and race discrimination and retaliation at
their workplace. Plaintiff A, is a female police officer in her 40s. Plaintiff B is an African-American police
officer also in his 40s. Plaintiff C is an African-American officer in his 40s and Plaintiff D is an Asian-
American police officer. All four were employed by the defendant police department. The plaintiffs claimed
that over a period of one and a half years, they were discriminated against due to their gender and/or race. They
also claimed that when they reported this they were retaliated against.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiffs had submitted a collective C.C.P. Section 998 demand of $800,000. The defendant offered $699,999 collectively to all the plaintiffs, and a settlement was reached at that figure plus two plaintiffs received lifetime pensions tax free at 50 percent of wages.

Injuries

The plaintiffs claimed that they suffered emotional distress due to the discrimination and retaliation. Their respective claims for lost earnings ranged from none to $10,000. Their respective medical-expense claims ranged from $200 to $1,000.


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