Ex-Kaiser radiologist is awarded $3.9 million

A Los Angeles jury has ordered Kaiser Permanente to pay a former radiologist $3.9 million for wrongfully forcing him to resign after he tried to improve medical standards at its Hollywood hospital.

The decision involving Dr. Michael Martinucci was announced Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Martinucci was hired at Kaiser in 2003 and resigned three years later after his supervisor and a human resources staffer accused him of being racist and making sexual advances toward a male technologist.

Martinucci sued Kaiser, alleging that he was forced to quit because he complained about work conditions at the hospital.

The jury also found Kaiser acted with malice, and a second phase of the trial will determine whether Martinucci should be awarded punitive damages.

A message left with Kaiser’s attorney was not returned Monday.