A former state employee was awarded nearly $8.8 million by a Sacramento federal court jury in a case that focused on California’s whistleblower protection laws.
The jury found Thursday that Tamara Evans, who now lives in Nevada, was retaliated against by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training while she worked at the West Sacramento-based agency. Evans claimed she was harassed and eventually forced into early retirement after refusing to approve expenses she believed were out of compliance.
The POST Commission sets selection and training standards for law enforcement officers in the state.
“Ms. Evans was simply trying to prevent fraudulent expenditures by POST,” her attorney, Lawrance Bohm, said in a statement. “Rather than respect her disclosure, POST targeted Ms. Evans and destroyed her career.”
Meagan Poulos, a spokeswoman for the commission, said the agency disagreed with the ruling.
“POST’s position on this matter is and has always been that it did not retaliate against Ms. Evans for her participation in protected conduct, and that her termination in March 2013 was justified and appropriate,” Poulos said. “While POST respects the jury’s decision, it is disappointed in the jury’s verdict in this case and is considering all appropriate post-trial options.”
