"Lobstergate" Retaliation Verdict vs. City of Long Beach

The recent Verdictsearch California (subscription req'd) reports a $4.1 million verdict by three Long Beach police officers against the City of Long Beach for retaliation.  CBS2.com also has coverage.

Seems that some of Long Beach's finest went illegally lobster diving on city time.  The plaintiff officers reported it.  They were called "snitches," denied job opportunities, had tires punctured, had feces smeared on a locker room towel, bullets stolen, etc.  One officer was forced into early disability retirement.

The Long Beach Press-Telegram reported in August, 2007 that the parties had mediated a settlement of $1.95 million, but the city counsel rejected it.  The jury found unlawful retaliation, and awarded compensatory damages to the three plaintiffs ranging from $1.16 million to $1.56 million.

                                                          Bruce Nye