In 2009, plaintiff George Petropoulos, a child support officer for the county of San Diego, allegedly reported on employees who he claimed were unlawfully gambling, forging documents and not working on county matters while on the clock. He alleged that shortly after reporting on these employees, he began to be mistreated by supervisors working for the county. Petropoulos sued the county, as well as Jeffrey Grissom, Birgit Knaiger and Kate Phillips, for violations of the California Labor Code, specifically § 1102.5. Grissom, Knaiger and Phillips were ultimately dismissed from the case prior to trial. The matter subsequently proceeded to a bench trial against the county only. Petropoulos claimed that county employees retaliated against him for participating in the protected activity of whistleblowing. The county denied all of Petropoulos’ allegations and denied that the plaintiff was engaged in the protected activity of making the reports., Petropoulos had to go out on leave after making his alleged whistleblowing complaint. He subsequently claimed emotional distress from the alleged mistreatment in retaliation of his complaint. Thus, Petropoulos sought recovery of damages for his pain and suffering related to his emotional distress, as well as recovery of lost wages. Petropoulos remains in his position with the county.