Wrongful Termination Employment

Tamara Evans, a long-term consultant for the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST), discovered that a Southern California training center was inflating invoices for federal grant programs. When she refused to approve the unsupported payments and reported the potential fraud, her superiors pressured her to remain silent. Following a state audit that confirmed her concerns, the agency stripped Evans of her duties and eventually terminated her employment in 2013. A federal jury determined that Evans was a victim of whistleblower retaliation, initially awarding her over $8.7 million for lost wages and the severe emotional distress she suffered after her career in law enforcement was destroyed.

After 17 years of loyal service, DaRon Benson returned to work at S.E. Combined Services of California following a two-year medical leave, only to face immediate hostility and systemic targeting. His supervisor, Yuri Sikkema, allegedly stripped Benson of long-held benefits and subjected him to racial animus, claiming the company had functioned perfectly without him. The dispute culminated in Benson’s termination based on what the jury determined were sham allegations of timecard fraud. On November 19, 2025, an Alameda County jury held the defendants accountable for discrimination and retaliation, awarding Benson a landmark $13,655,263 for his economic losses and the profound emotional distress caused by the loss of his career.

The legal battle centered on Steve Ongele, a long-serving Bureau Chief within the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Ongele alleged that his career ended in retaliation after he blew the whistle on significant financial irregularities within the department. Specifically, Ongele had reported that the city was collecting millions of dollars in excessive fees from the public and had uncovered a scheme where ineligible high-level employees received years of unauthorized overtime pay. Following these disclosures, Ongele claimed he faced a hostile work environment and was ultimately terminated in October 2019. The resulting stress led to a severe decline in his mental and physical health, including suicidal ideation and permanent disability. While the City maintained that the termination was performance-based, they ultimately chose to settle the matter for $3.15 million shortly before trial, following the federal conviction of Ongele's former supervisor on unrelated corruption charges.

Lajos "Lali" Hugyetz, a former five-time world champion kickboxer, sued luxury fitness company Equinox Holdings, Inc. for wrongful termination and disability discrimination. Hugyetz alleged that Equinox fired him while he was on protected medical leave to treat a severe hip condition and care for his ailing mother. He claimed the company failed to accommodate his medical restrictions and retaliated against him for taking leave. A Los Angeles jury found in favor of Hugyetz, determining that Equinox acted with malice, and awarded the plaintiff over $32 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

Jackson Kwok initiated a lawsuit against Genera Corporation and several other Defendants, including T.Y.C. Brother Industrial Co., Ltd, Innova Holding Corporation, Jerry Wu, and Chun Chi Wu, alleging wrongful termination and retaliation. Kwok claimed he suffered adverse employment action, including termination, after reporting or resisting discrimination, harassment, or possibly illegal business practices. Genera Corporation filed an answer denying the allegations and subsequently lodged a Cross-Complaint for damages and equitable relief against Kwok, Annie Mun Nee Wong, Singgong LLC, and OneRoadFat LLC. The pleadings indicate a dispute over employment contracts, whistleblower protection, and business practices within the Orange County Superior Court system. This summary covers the claims and defenses based on the filed complaints and answers, as the jury verdict and expert disclosures were not provided for review.

Luis DeLeon, a longtime Stratford public works employee, sued the Town after being terminated following a workplace shoulder injury and a workers’ compensation claim. Despite medical clearance to return to duty, the Town refused reinstatement and later dismissed him. DeLeon argued it was retaliation for exercising his legal rights. In April 2024, a jury agreed, awarding reinstatement, back wages, benefits, and attorney’s fees, reinforcing protections for injured workers under Connecticut law.

Thomas Weeks filed an employment discrimination lawsuit against the California Institute of Technology. The lawsuit included nine counts against the Defendant including wrongful termination, disability discrimination, retaliation, and negligent supervision. The lawsuit was filed in the California Superior Court, Los Angeles County. Judges Jill Feeney, Daniel M. Crowley, and Robert S. Draper presided over this case. [Case number: 20STCV38683]

On April 21, 2023, Tammy Cranmer filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the law firm Cordell & Cordell P.C. She claimed that her termination was based on retaliation and violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (Act) and Kansas Act Against Discrimination. The case was filed in the United States District Court, Kansas (Wichita). District Judge Toby Crouse presided over the case. [Case number: 6:23cv1066]

On April 10, 2023, April Beesecker filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against her employer A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. alleging violations of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The case was filed in the United States District Court, Iowa Northern. The case was assigned to Chief Judge CJ Williams and referred to Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts. [Case number: 2:23cv1006] April Beesecker, a resident of Dickeyville, Wisconsin, had been employed by Defendant A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. for approximately 10 years as a Customer Service Representative at the company’s Dubuque, Iowa, facility. She was eligible for FMLA leave as of June 2022, having worked more than 1,250 hours in the previous 12-month period and having been employed for over 12 mo

On December 22, 2021, Vince Brown filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Mac Haik Ford Lincoln Ltd. He alleged racial discrimination and violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The case was filed in the United States District Court, Texas Western (Austin). The case was assigned to Judge David A. Ezra. [Case number: 1:21cv1163]

On February 14, 2022, Dr. David Forsberg, a radiologist, filed a lawsuit against Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center, PLLC where he worked under the False Claims Act. The case was filed in the United States District Court, Tennessee Eastern (Knoxville). The case was assigned to District Judge Katherine A Crytzer and referred to Magistrate Judge Debra C Poplin. [Case number: 3:22cv58]

On March 24, 2022, Jesus Lopez filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the Canton Food Co., Inc. alleging Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) violations. The case was heard in the California Superior Court, Los Angeles County and Judges Randolph M. Hammock and Barbara M. Scheper presided over the lawsuit. [Case number: 22STCV10189]