Reports: Former Dearborn Court Administrator Awarded $732,000 in Case Against Somers

A former Dearborn deputy court administrator is feeling “validation and affirmation” after a federal jury awarded her $732,361 Thursday because she was denied her due process when her position was eliminated, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Julie Pucci, a former administrator in the 19th District Court, will receive the amount after the jury rendered its verdict in her claims against Judge Mark Somers, according to the Press and Guide.

The federal jury agreed with Pucci’s claims that her due process was violated when her job was eliminated without cause or warning. In addition, the jury backed Pucci’s claim that Somers retaliated against her when she filed a complaint with the State Court Administrative Office.

But the jury did not support Pucci’s allegation of gender discrimination.

Pucci’s attorney, Joel Sklar, told the Free Press that Pucci was pleased with the verdict “because she was proved to be right.”

Somers, however, told the Press and Guide that “sometimes the good guys don’t always win.”