Long Beach : City to Fight Verdict that Gave Ex-Employee $900,000
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners plans to fight a recent jury verdict that found a former high-ranking administrator was unfairly fired and awarded him $913,425 in damages.
Assistant City Atty. Robert E. Shannon said a Harbor Department lawyer will first ask that a Superior Court judge reverse the verdict based on legal errors. If the request is denied, attorneys will ask for a new trial, Shannon said.
The jury found last month that the Harbor Department breached its employment contract with Leland R. Hill when it eliminated his position in 1991 as director of planning and engineering.
Department officials have maintained that they had the right to dismiss Hill at any time.
Hill was later rehired as an environmental specialist with the Harbor Department, but that position paid about $56,000 a year, about $43,000 less than his previous post.
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