In 2017, plaintiff Lucy Auner, a sergeant employed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, reported a suspicion of time card fraud in the department. That same year, plaintiff Kristen Aufdemberg, a deputy sheriff with the department, claimed that she and others had been subjected to sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Auner and Aufdemberg claimed that after filing their complaints with the department, they were both subjected to adverse employment actions, including adverse write-ups and involuntary transfers. Auner and Aufdemberg sued Los Angeles County. The lawsuit alleged that the county created a hostile work environment. The lawsuit further alleged that the county’s actions constituted retaliation in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act and whistleblower retaliation. Auner and Aufdemberg claimed that the county’s alleged reasons for taking actions against them were pretextual. The county denied there was time card fraud or harassment. It also denied there was retaliation against Auner or Aufdemberg, and it claimed that any actions against Auner and Aufdemberg were for legitimate business reasons. , Auner and Aufdemberg each claimed that they suffered emotional distress as a result of the hostile work environment and retaliation against them. Auner and Aufdemberg sought recovery of damages for their emotional pain and suffering, as well as recovery of under $1,000 for their minimal economic loss.