Harassment case headed to court
Ben Godar
A Burbank city employee who claims she was ostracized by co-workers
and denied job opportunities based on gender and age is expected to
get her day in court next week.
Deborah McMurray, a 56-year-old revenue clerk, was discriminated
against and then retaliated against when she complained, according to
her attorney, Brad Gage.
McMurray, who filed her lawsuit in March 2001, is presently on
disability leave, Gage said.
Four other city employees who sued the city for discrimination
settled their cases out-of-court in March, for what Asst. City Atty.
Juli Scott called “a nominal sum.” Gage also represented each of
those employees.
Gage said no settlement was reached in McMurray’s case because the
city offered only $1,000.
“The amount of money they offered us on the McMurray case was
insultingly low,” he said. “We’d be glad to find a way to amicably
resolve this.”
Irma Rodriguez Moisa, one of the attorneys representing the city,
said that unlike McMurray, the other employees were eager to get the
lawsuits over through a settlement.
“I think she is unrealistic about what the outcome of this case
will be,” she said.
Scott called McMurray a “disgruntled employee,” and said the case
has no merit. The trial is expected to begin sometime next week, as
soon as courtroom space is available.