In March 2016, plaintiffs Renato Moreno, 46, a police lieutenant, Shan Davis, 51, a police lieutenant, Michael Foxen, 53, a police lieutenant, and Donna Norris, 50, a civilian employee and public safety communications and evidence manager, were each allegedly harassed by the new chief of police for the Beverly Hills Police Department, Sandra Spagnoli. They also alleged that Spagnoli made derogatory comments to them, and Moreno, Davis and Foxen claimed that Spagnoli retaliated against them. Moreno, Davis, Foxen and Norris sued the city of Beverly Hills. They alleged that Spagnoli’s actions constituted workplace harassment, retaliation, and age, race, religion and sexual-orientation discrimination. They also alleged that as her employer, the city was strictly liable for Spagnoli’s actions. Plaintiffs’ counsel contended that Spagnoli made derogatory comments to Moreno, Davis, Foxen and Norris. Moreno claimed that Spagnoli made comments about his Hispanic heritage and Catholic faith. He also claimed that he was moved positions and was told inaccurate statements about recovering overtime pay. Norris claimed that Spagnoli made comments about her being a lesbian and a Christian, and Foxen claimed that he was denied a promotion. In addition, Davis claimed that he was Norris’ supervisor and that because Norris is a lesbian, Spagnoli directed him to lower Norris’ performance evaluation with no justification. Davis claimed that when he refused to lower Norris’ score, Spagnoli signed the evaluation but refused to approve the pay for performance. Defense counsel contended that the city investigated the comments and determined that Spagnoli did not make all of the alleged derogatory statements. Counsel also contended that the city’s management reprimanded Spagnoli for her remarks and ordered Spagnoli to undergo sensitivity training. Defense counsel denied that any personnel action was taken for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons and that the city and Spagnoli had legitimate business reasons for all of their personnel decisions. In addition, Spagnoli denied she was racist, homophobic or prejudiced against anyone because of their religion., Moreno, Davis, Foxen and Norris each claimed emotional distress as a result of their work environment. They also claimed that they each suffered damage to their reputation as part of the department. Moreno, Davis, Foxen and Norris sought recovery of economic damages for the city’s failure to promote them, and for their alleged diminished overtime opportunities and benefits. During closing arguments, plaintiffs’ counsel asked the jury to award Moreno, Davis, Foxen and Norris approximately $23 million in total damages.