County of Los Angeles whistleblower. $257K.

Summary

African-American manager in LA County Tax Collector's office says he was retaliated against after blowing whistle on the activities of a senior manager.

The Case

Case Name: Winston v. County of Los Angeles
Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / 19STCV28021
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Date Action was Filed: Wednesday, August 07, 2019
Type of Action: Discrimination, Racial, Employment, Whistleblower
Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Gregory Alarcon
Plaintiffs:
Harold Winston, 63
Defendants:
County of Los Angeles
Type of Result: Jury Verdict

The Result

Gross Verdict or Award: $257,000
Economic Damages:
$252,000
Non-Economic Damages:
$5,000
Trial or Arbitration Time: 7 days
Jury Deliberation Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Jury Polls: The jury determined 11 - 1 that Mr. Winston was retaliated against for his whistleblowing complaints. The jury found in favor of the County of Los Angeles on Plaintiff's race-based retaliation claims.

The Attorneys

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Law Office of Michael J. Curls by Michael J. Curls and Nichelle D. Jordan, Los Angeles.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Peterson Bradford Burkwitz by George Peterson, Burbank.

Facts and Background

Facts and Background:
Plaintiff was a 30-year employee with the County of Los Angeles. His position title at the time of leaving the County agency was Supervising Deputy, Public Administrator I.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
Plaintiff contended that he was retaliated against for raising concerns of misappropriation of Probate Assets by a manager in the County of Los Angeles Department of Treasurer and Tax Collector. Plaintiff claimed that Treasurer and Tax Collector senior management collaborated to cover-up the alleged misdeeds.
Plaintiff also contended that he was retaliated against for complaining that Black employees, and Black males in particular, were subjected to disparate treatment at the County of Los Angeles.
Plaintiff further contended that he was not able to return to work at the County of Los Angeles as a result of the hostile work environment that he was subjected to.
Defendant's Contentions:
Defendant contended that Mr. Winston suffered discipline because of the manner in which he expressed his whistleblowing and race-based concerns, not the content of his complaints. Also denied any cover-up of the misdeeds.

Demands and Offers

Plaintiff Final Demand before Trial: $250,000
Defendant Final Offer before Trial: $30,000

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Disclaimer

This is not an official court document. While the publisher believes the information to be accurate, the publisher does not guarantee it and the reader is advised not to rely upon it without consulting the official court documents or the attorneys of record in this matter who are listed above.