On Feb. 21, 2017, plaintiff Jeffrey Stewart, a black police officer for the city of San Diego, had his police powers removed by Captain Dawn Summers. Stewart was also demoted to perform office duties and desk work, which were usually reserved for junior officers. He claimed that his supervisors, including Sergeants Highhorse Little and Brandie Sorbie, recommended that he be terminated and that he was ultimately terminated later that year. Stewart sued Little, Sorbie, Summers and the city of San Diego. Stewart alleged that the defendants’ actions constituted racial and disability discrimination and harassment, as well as retaliation, resulting in his wrongful termination. Stewart claimed that he was harassed and discriminated against for being black and reporting his work-related disability. He also claimed that he was retaliated against for speaking publicly and internally about his mistreatment and the mistreatment of others. Stewart alleged that he was demoted in retaliation for speaking out about the alleged discrimination against a fellow black officer., Stewart worked for the police department since 2002. He claimed that he suffered emotional distress as a result of the events. Stewart sought recovery for his emotional pain and suffering.