Jury Verdicts & Settlements

$8.4M Verdict: Ross Byer v. City of La Palma Discrimination

Ross Byer, a former police officer for the City of La Palma, alleged that he faced a hostile work environment and racial discrimination under the supervision of Sergeant Koh. Byer, a Caucasian officer, claimed that Koh openly expressed a desire for an "all-Korean police force" and pressured him to engage in unethical policing, including profiling minority suspects. After Byer reported these concerns to department leadership, he faced intensified scrutiny and poor performance reviews, which he argued were retaliatory. The legal battle culminated in a jury finding that the City's actions led to Byer's constructive discharge and that racial bias was a motivating factor in his treatment. On December 9, 2025, an Orange County jury awarded Byer $8.4 million for past and future emotional distress, marking a significant victory against municipal workplace discrimination.

Evans v. POST: $8.3M Whistleblower Retaliation Verdict

Tamara Evans, a long-term consultant for the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST), discovered that a Southern California training center was inflating invoices for federal grant programs. When she refused to approve the unsupported payments and reported the potential fraud, her superiors pressured her to remain silent. Following a state audit that confirmed her concerns, the agency stripped Evans of her duties and eventually terminated her employment in 2013. A federal jury determined that Evans was a victim of whistleblower retaliation, initially awarding her over $8.7 million for lost wages and the severe emotional distress she suffered after her career in law enforcement was destroyed.

Benson v. SCI: $13.6 Million Racial Discrimination Verdict

After 17 years of loyal service, DaRon Benson returned to work at S.E. Combined Services of California following a two-year medical leave, only to face immediate hostility and systemic targeting. His supervisor, Yuri Sikkema, allegedly stripped Benson of long-held benefits and subjected him to racial animus, claiming the company had functioned perfectly without him. The dispute culminated in Benson’s termination based on what the jury determined were sham allegations of timecard fraud. On November 19, 2025, an Alameda County jury held the defendants accountable for discrimination and retaliation, awarding Benson a landmark $13,655,263 for his economic losses and the profound emotional distress caused by the loss of his career.

City of Los Angeles Settles Whistleblower Case

The legal battle centered on Steve Ongele, a long-serving Bureau Chief within the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Ongele alleged that his career ended in retaliation after he blew the whistle on significant financial irregularities within the department. Specifically, Ongele had reported that the city was collecting millions of dollars in excessive fees from the public and had uncovered a scheme where ineligible high-level employees received years of unauthorized overtime pay. Following these disclosures, Ongele claimed he faced a hostile work environment and was ultimately terminated in October 2019. The resulting stress led to a severe decline in his mental and physical health, including suicidal ideation and permanent disability. While the City maintained that the termination was performance-based, they ultimately chose to settle the matter before trial, following the federal conviction of Ongele's former supervisor on unrelated corruption charges.

Kickboxing Champ Wins $32M Equinox Discrimination Lawsuit

Lajos "Lali" Hugyetz, a former five-time world champion kickboxer, sued luxury fitness company Equinox Holdings, Inc. for wrongful termination and disability discrimination. Hugyetz alleged that Equinox fired him while he was on protected medical leave to treat a severe hip condition and care for his ailing mother. He claimed the company failed to accommodate his medical restrictions and retaliated against him for taking leave. A Los Angeles jury found in favor of Hugyetz, determining that Equinox acted with malice, and awarded the plaintiff over $32 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

Jury Awards $15.8M to Genera in Fiduciary Duty Dispute

Jackson Kwok initiated a lawsuit against Genera Corporation and several other Defendants, including T.Y.C. Brother Industrial Co., Ltd, Innova Holding Corporation, Jerry Wu, and Chun Chi Wu, alleging wrongful termination and retaliation. Kwok claimed he suffered adverse employment action, including termination, after reporting or resisting discrimination, harassment, or possibly illegal business practices. Genera Corporation filed an answer denying the allegations and subsequently lodged a Cross-Complaint for damages and equitable relief against Kwok, Annie Mun Nee Wong, Singgong LLC, and OneRoadFat LLC. The pleadings indicate a dispute over employment contracts, whistleblower protection, and business practices within the Orange County Superior Court system. This summary covers the claims and defenses based on the filed complaints and answers, as the jury verdict and expert disclosures were not provided for review.

Stratford Worker Wins Job Back in Retaliation Verdict

Luis DeLeon, a longtime Stratford public works employee, sued the Town after being terminated following a workplace shoulder injury and a workers’ compensation claim. Despite medical clearance to return to duty, the Town refused reinstatement and later dismissed him. DeLeon argued it was retaliation for exercising his legal rights. In April 2024, a jury agreed, awarding reinstatement, back wages, benefits, and attorney’s fees, reinforcing protections for injured workers under Connecticut law.

Jury Rejects Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Against Caltech by NASA Voyager Engineer