Featured Verdict: Jury Issues $2.8 Million Verdict Against City of Riverside in Retaliation Case

Employment Law

Shawn Casteel v. City of Riverside (Riverside County Super Ct. No. RIC 1906046): On September 7, 2023 a jury entered a verdict of $2.8 million in favor of plaintiff Shawn Casteel, a former employee of the Riverside Police Department after he filed a retaliation law suit against the City of Riverside. In the underlying matter plaintiff alleged that the City of Riverside imposed unlawful citation and arrest quotas on police officers as a means of determining a benchmark for performance. Despite complaining about the unlawful practices to his superiors, plaintiff was subject to a variety of disciplinary actions throughout the course of his employment including poor performance evaluations. The verdict entered in favor of plaintiff was entirely for non-economic damages. Plaintiff was represented by McNicholas & McNicholas LLP. Defendant was represented by Debra L. Cook, in-house counsel for the City of Riverside.