In 2017, plaintiff Richard Thompson, 60, a utility services planning supervisor for the city of Pasadena, retired after undergoing administrative investigations. He claimed that the city began the investigations and otherwise retaliated against him in an effort to get him to retire after he testified on behalf of a female city worker in November 2015. Thompson sued the city. He alleged that the city’s actions constituted retaliation and constructive discharge. Plaintiff’s counsel contended that after Thompson wrote a female city worker a favorable performance evaluation, recommended the worker for promotion and testified on the worker’s behalf at a discrimination trial, the city issued Thompson a verbal warning and attempted to damage Thompson’s credibility by subjecting him to several administrative investigations. Counsel also contended that management stopped supporting Thompson and allowed subordinate employees to undermine his authority and that management failed to investigate or take corrective action regarding the alleged insubordination. Plaintiff’s counsel further contended that the city eventually reassigned Thompson and that, in doing so, the city took away Thompson’s office, city vehicle and all of his direct reports. Thompson claimed that he was eventually forced to retire due to the stress of being investigated by the city. Defense counsel denied that Thompson was subjected to retaliation. Counsel contended that while Thompson filed complaints of retaliation, discrimination and harassment, the city properly investigated those complaints and found them to be unfounded., Thompson claimed that he was unable to obtain other employment since leaving his job with the city. He claimed that nobody else would hire him as a result of what happened to him in Pasadena. He claimed that, as a result, he suffers emotional distress as well as a loss of income. Thompson sought recovery of lost wages and damages for his for emotional pain and suffering. Defense counsel disputed Thompson’s lost-income claim. Counsel contended that Thompson has been running his own plumbing business in addition to receiving retirement income from the city.