Facts

Plaintiff Dr. Terralyn Renfro is a licensed psychologist and had worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ("CDCR") in a variety of prisons, both as a contractor and civil service employee, beginning in approximately 2001.

In 2006, plaintiff worked as a contract psychologist at Mule Creek State Prison in 2006.

In 2007, plaintiff was terminated from her position as a contract psychologist at Mule Creek State Prison and was no longer eligible for hire at any prison in the State of California because of the termination.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff claimed that her termination was due to her race. Plaintiff was the only African-American psychologist at Mule Creek State Prison and the reasons given for her termination, and ineligibility for re-hire, were untrue and based on racial stereotypes. Furthermore, plaintiff contended that she was an employee falling under the protections of FEHA.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendant claimed that plaintiff was a contractor and could, therefore, be terminated for any reason or no reason. Defendant further contended that plaintiff had disobeyed directions from her supervisor and created a safety and security risk by instituting a mental health library without permission.

Defendant argued that since plaintiff was an independent contractor, she did not fall with the protections of FEHA.

Settlement Discussions

The parties attended a mandatory settlement conference although there were no significant offers of settlement.

Result

The jury awarded $945,480 in damages; $345,480 in economic losses and $600,000 in emotional distress.

Other Information

The jury found that Dr. Renfro's termination was based, in part, on racial discrimination in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act. FILING DATE: Feb. 1, 2008.

Deliberation

three days

Poll

9-3 (whether the termination was based on race), 11-1 (economic damages), 10-2 (non-economic damages)

Length

nine days