A Los Angeles jury awarded a verdict of $1.1 million on allegations of discrimination and workplace harassment against Beverly Hills Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli. Chief Spagnoli became Beverly Hills first female police chief in 2016.
However, many lawsuits have been brought forward pertaining to allegations that the chief made derogatory comments about the religions, sexual orientation, and ethnicity of subordinate officers.
Beverly Hills Police Lts. Renato Moreno, Michael Foxen and Shan Davis and a civilian employee named Dona Norris were awarded $1.1 million after three days of deliberations on July 9, City News 1130 reports.
Moreno was awarded $350,000, while each of the other plaintiffs were granted $250,000 each.
According to the lawsuit that resulted in the $1.1 million verdict, Chief Spagnoli reacted with disgust when she was told Norris was a lesbian. The chief also was accused of asking whether she would have to “dress Mexican” if she attended a holiday party hosted by Moreno.
Moreno and Foxen also said they were punished by Chief Spagnoli for giving depositions favorable to a separate $2.3 million verdict against Chief Spagnoli, according to court documents.
Chief Spagnoli has denied any prejudice but has acknowledged she was reprimanded by the city for some remarks and she was ordered to undergo sensitivity training.
During the civil trial, Chief Spagnoli admitted to making some of the remarks she was accused of but said she didn’t intend for them to be offensive.
At least 21 current and former department employees have filed civil lawsuits or employment complaints that accuse Chief Spagnoli of a range of misconduct, according to court records.