PASADENA : Ex-City Administrator Wins $585,000 in Bias Lawsuit

A Los Angeles Superior Court jury this week found that the city of Pasadena discriminated against a former black administrator who did not win promotion, was retaliated against when he formed a black employees group and was left with no recourse but to resign.

The jury also found that the discrimination was the result of city policy. The jury awarded $585,000 to Eugene Stevenson, including $200,000 for lost wages and $300,000 for pain and suffering.

Stevenson worked for the city’s Health Department. He now works for a private company in health administration.

City Manager Philip A. Hawkey declined to comment on the specifics of the case, saying he had not been briefed by the city’s lawyer. But Hawkey said affirmative action reforms and other changes, such as diversity training for managers and minority training for promotions, had taken care of problems the city may have had.

The city’s lawyer, Jeffrey Freedman, said he will review the trial to determine if there are grounds for an appeal and most likely make his recommendation next week to city officials.