Judge Rejects Gender Bias Suit by Former Prosecutor

A judge has decided in favor of the city in a sex-discrimination lawsuit, nearly five years after a female assistant city attorney and three colleagues made accusations of gender bias that forced the early retirement of a former city attorney.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Valerie Baker ruled against Julia L. Weston before the case went to the jury Thursday, saying Weston’s attorney failed to prove there was a case.

“The court granted our motion for a directed verdict,” said Michele Beal Bagneris, Pasadena’s interim city attorney. “The court ruled on this without it going to the jury. The city prevailed in all courses of the action.”

In 1992, the four female lawyers complained they were not informed of promotional opportunities given to their male colleagues by then-City Atty. Victor Kaleta. He denied the allegations but resigned in August 1994 under fire from the City Council.

The city hired Cristina Talley to serve as interim city attorney, but the women then filed the lawsuit, alleging she continued the discrimination and laid off Weston.

The city settled with Assistant City Atty. Carolyn Williams for $75,000 and former Assistant City Atty. Ann Higginbotham for $100,000. A judge dismissed the suit of Assistant City Atty. Ann S. Rider but she has appealed. Lawyers for Weston say they will appeal Baker’s ruling. The cases have so far cost the city more than $500,000.