- The city of Fresno plans to ask a federal judge to review a $15.4 million discrimination verdict.
- City officials say the request would pause the deadline to file an appeal.
- Insurance could cover $10 million, but officials warn not appealing may risk future coverage.
The city of Fresno plans to ask a federal judge to review a $15.4 million verdict in a racial discrimination case, which would buy the city time as it decides whether to file a formal appeal.
Last month, a federal jury ruled in favor of La-Kebbia “Kiki” Wilson and Charles Smith in their lawsuit claiming discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Smith, a white former employee with the city’s code enforcement department, testified his supervisor used a racial slur to describe Wilson, a Black woman who at the time also worked in code enforcement. The jury awarded $15 million to Wilson and $400,000 to Smith.
“The city attorney would have to ask the judge to reconsider it. And that is not something in the purview of the city council,” Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz told GV Wire…