Long Beach : Judge Refuses to Dismiss Sex Harassment Verdict
A Los Angeles federal court judge has rejected an attempt by the city of Long Beach to throw out a $3.1-million verdict awarded to two ex-policewomen who said they were sexually harassed by their male colleagues on the force.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gadbois refused Monday to dismiss the verdict outright, but delayed ruling on a separate request by the city for a new trial. Former officers Lindsey Allison and Melissa Clerkin alleged that they were humiliated by male officers, forced to look at pornographic photographs and placed in physical danger by officers who allowed their police dogs to attack the women.
Gadbois has yet to rule on a separate claim for sex discrimination under federal employment law, as well as on whether the $3.1-million verdict is excessive. The award, delivered Sept. 26, is the largest against the city in recent memory.
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