Los Angeles Team Obtains Defense Verdict for City Client in Harassment & Discrimination Lawsuit

Los Angeles, Calif. (June 18, 2025) - Los Angeles Partner Steven Gatley recently secured a defense verdict for the City of Baldwin Park in a former employee's lawsuit alleging harassment and discrimination.

The plaintiff worked for the city for 32 years, ultimately rising to the senior role of housing manager. Part of her job involved overseeing disbursement of federal funds like Section 8 rental assistance. The plaintiff claimed the city’s Director of Finance was misappropriating those funds. She also alleged she was harassed and discriminated against on the basis of her gender and race (Hispanic) by the City Manager. She claimed she was forced to retire.

The case, which was venued in downtown Los Angeles, proceeded to a jury trial that lasted 13 days. The plaintiff's demand at trial was $6.7 million. After two days of deliberating, the jury came back with a defense verdict.