Judge Overturns Ruling Against Beverly Hills Police Chief

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — A Los Angeles Superior Court judge overturned a jury verdict which awarded damages to a former Beverly Hills Police Lieutenant, the City of Beverly Hills announced Thursday

Lt. Shaun Davis and three other plaintiffs alleged discrimination, retaliation and harassment by Beverly Hills Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli during a trial last summer. Davis was individually awarded $250,000 by the jury, the press release said.

Judge Elizabeth R. Feffer ruled there was no evidence to support the verdict and overruled the jury’s decision this week. In the new ruling, Judge Feffer concluded Davis won't be awarded any damages and a new judgement is entered in favor of the City of Beverly Hills, the City said.

"This rarely-granted motion is certainly a victory for the City and the Chief," City Attorney Laurence Wiener said. "Although the jury found there was no discrimination as to each of the plaintiffs, they still concluded there was harassment based on several alleged comments the Chief made in 2016. The City disagreed with the jury’s finding these alleged statements rose to the level of harassment, particularly as concerned plaintiff Davis. Obviously, the judge agreed."

The City also brought a similar motion against plaintiff Donna Norris which was not granted by the court.

"The City remains committed to a Beverly Hills Police Department that upholds the highest ideals of fairness, dignity, and equality," Wiener said. "This win sends an important message as the department continues to move forward with great success."