Neal Meyers and Golnar Fozi Secure Defense Verdict in Gender Discrimination and Harassment Trial

Santa Barbara, California – June 18, 2012. Neal Meyers and Golnar Fozi of the law firm Meyers Fozi, LLP, have secured a defense verdict in the trial of Brown v. Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, ID #1.

Plaintiff, a former employee of defendant District, sued the District claiming that she was harassed due to her gender, and was terminated due to gender discrimination and in retaliation for reporting the alleged harassment and discrimination to the District’s general manager, general counsel and Board of Directors. She claimed two years of past lost earnings, the loss of CalPERS retirement benefits, medical insurance benefits, and emotional distress damages. The District contended that plaintiff was terminated for violating the sick leave policies of the employer, among other reasons, and that neither the investigation of her complaints nor the disciplinary measures leading up to terminated were based on the plaintiff’s gender.

The matter proceeded trial in the Santa Barbara Superior Court, Cook Division in Santa Maria, the Honorable Timothy Staffel, judge presiding. A panel of 12 jurors heard approximately 9 days of testimony. After a two-hour deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict in favor of the District. Plaintiff’s motion for a new trial was denied, and costs were awarded against her.

For assistance, consultation or representation, contact the attorneys at Meyers Fozi, LLP at (760) 444-0039.

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