In 2005, plaintiff LaRae Brown, Controller of the city of Oakland, began making internal complaints regarding alleged financial improprieties in city practices. She claimed that her complaints went ignored and that her supervisor removed her staff and undermined her decisions. As a result, Brown took her complaints to the newly elected City Auditor in February 2007. One month later, in March 2007, Brown was terminated from employment. Brown sued the city of Oakland and the Oakland City Administrator, Deborah Edgerly. She alleged that her termination was an act of retaliation by the defendants, in violation of her First Amendment civil rights (42 USC 1983). Brown also alleged that the city violated the California Labor Code § 1102.5(b) for retaliatory termination. Brown contended that in response to her reporting alleged financial improprieties to the City Auditor, the city of Oakland and, specifically, Edgerly made the decision to terminate her from employment. The defendants contended that Brown was not terminated for reporting the alleged improprieties, but rather for her poor performance, improper handling of workplace issues and improper interactions with other employees. Thus, the defendants denied that the termination was an act of retaliation., Brown initially sought recovery of $1.5 million in general damages, as well as recovery of punitive damages and her attorney’s fees. Defense counsel contended that Brown was terminated for legitimate business reasons and was owed zero damages.