Consulting Firm Wins $1.89M Against City of Baldwin Park
Table of Contents
Case Background
A federal jury in the Central District of California delivered a complicated verdict in September 2025, wrapping up a contentious, multi-year legal battle that pitted a consulting firm and its principal against the City of Baldwin Park and several of its current and former high-ranking officials. The suit, filed in January 2023, centered on allegations of municipal corruption, civil rights violations, and broken contracts involving the development of public land. Plaintiffs DJCBP Corporation, doing business as Tier One Consulting, and its principal, David Ju, claimed the city and its employees created an environment of bribery and kickbacks, systematically retaliating against the firm when it refused to participate in the illicit schemes. The trial demanded the jury parse through mountains of evidence concerning everything from complex federal conspiracy law to detailed municipal development agreements.
Cause
The Plaintiffs asserted that the city officials had systematically violated both federal and state laws. Their primary charge was a Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), which alleged the Defendants formed an illegal enterprise to conduct business through patterns of bribery and extortion. The complaint further included claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, stating the Defendants had violated the firm's and Mr. Ju’s civil rights. These claims included:
First Amendment Violation: The Plaintiffs asserted the Defendants retaliated against them for speaking out about the corruption.
Due Process Violation: The Plaintiffs claimed the City arbitrarily denied or interfered with their property rights, including contr
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