A new trial next month will determine whether or not retired Union City Police Officer Juan Estrella receives punitive damages after a Hudson County jury found the defendants liable to the tune of $853,000 yesterday.
The former Union City patrolman was awarded $853,000 in economic and emotional damages after the eight jurors found the city, Union City Police Department, Mayor Brian Stack, and former Chief Nichelle Luster were found liable for unlawful discrimination.
Specifically, they found merits to the claims that Estrella was not promoted in 2022 since the department discriminated against him because he is Dominican.
They almost voted unanimously (8-0) on all charges after months of hearing evidence and testimony from dozens of current and retired officers as well as Stack, Luster, and Juan himself, about discipline, promotions, and the inner workings of the UCPD…