3 Beverly Hills Employees Win Settlements In Lawsuits

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Settlements were reached in lawsuits brought by two Beverly Hills Police Department employees and one former employee, the City of Beverly Hills announced Tuesday.

Under the terms of the settlements, Officer Anne Marie Lunsman will receive a payment of $195,000; Tania Schwartz, a former senior management analyst for the BHPD who now holds the same position in Public Works, will receive a payment of $285,000; and Sgt. Scott Dibble will receive a payment of $105,000. The attorney representing the plaintiffs, Bradley Gage, will receive fees amounting to $390,000.

"The city of Beverly Hills is committed to maintaining a respectful work environment free from harassment, retaliation and discrimination," said City Attorney Laurence S. Wiener. "We have managed to reach agreements without the cost and distraction of trials so that the Beverly Hills Police Department can focus on its primary responsibility, keeping our community safe."

All three plaintiffs complained of disparate treatment by Chief Sandra Spagnoli. However, the city's announcement of the settlement included the following statement backing the chief:

"The city supports the needed change that Chief Spagnoli has brought to the Police Department, including the addition of officers, enhancements in training, an increase in diversity, greater public outreach, contemporary policing programs and a reduction in crime."

Four other Police Department employees with similar grievances cases were collectively awarded more than $1 million by a jury in July and retired Capt. Mark Rosen obtained a $2.3 million settlement in his case.

City News Service contributed to this post