Beverly Hills police get $1.1 million in harassment lawsuit

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – A jury has awarded $1.1 million to four Beverly Hills police employees who said they faced harassment and retaliation from the police chief.

Jurors Tuesday found for three lieutenants and a civilian worker in a lawsuit naming Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli.

The suit also alleged Spagnoli made discriminatory remarks about employees’ ethnicities or religions but jurors rejected discrimination claims.

In December, however, the city paid $2.3 million to a retired captain who accused Spagnoli of making anti-Semitic remarks.

Spagnoli has denied being prejudiced but has acknowledged she was reprimanded by the city for some remarks and ordered to undergo sensitivity training.

The city said it “remains committed” to the chief.

The city also announced it will pay $300,000 to settle an age discrimination lawsuit by a police forensic lab worker.