In July 2010, plaintiff Alina Ales was hired as a life coach by Truxtun Psychiatric Medical Group in Bakersfield. Soon after she started working at Truxtun, Ales suspected employees were fraudulently altering patient documents. She reported her suspicions to her employer’s HMO, and on Jan. 13, 2011, the HMO audited Truxtun. One the same date, Ales was terminated. Her supervisor was Cindy Engel. Ales sued Truxtun Psychiatric Medical Group L.P. and Engel for wrongful termination and retaliation. Ales dismissed her claim against Engel early in the proceedings. Ales contended that Truxtun employees fraudulently altered and backdated patient documents to reflect additional diagnoses. She claimed that after reporting her suspicious to the company’s HMO, an audit was performed that led to Truxton retaliating by terminating her employment. Truxtun contended that Ales’ termination was not related to her reporting suspicions to the HMO and the resulting audit. Ales’ supervisor claimed she was not aware of the audit when she made the decision to fire Ales. Truxtun further noted that the HMO audit concluded that no fraudulent activity was committed by Truxtun. Truxtun claimed Ales received an unfavorable review in October 2010, and the decision was made to terminate her while she was on her second 90-day probation period., Ales sought damages for lost earnings. She earned $1,733 per month. She further sought general damages. Truxtun contended that Ales was terminated for legitimate business reasons, and was owed zero damages.