Los Angeles Settles Whistleblower Case for $5.75M
Table of Contents
Case Background
Dr. Kristen Wheldon, a respected clinical psychologist, had provided psychological services for a key department within the City of Los Angeles for several years when a high-stakes disagreement with her superiors emerged. The central dispute began when Dr. Wheldon uncovered what she believed were serious ethical and procedural violations related to the department’s operational integrity.
The psychologist believed the violations created an immediate risk to public safety and professional standards. She meticulously documented her concerns and officially reported them through the proper internal channels, fulfilling her legal and ethical duty to the City and its residents. However, shortly after she made her report, the workplace dynamic shifted dramatically, and her professional environment became hostile. She alleged that the City's reaction was not to investigate the wrongdoing she cited, but to swiftly target her career.
Cause
Whistleblower Retaliation
Dr. Wheldon’s central accusation centered on the claim that the City of Los Angeles, through its various supervisors and agents, had retaliated against her after she blew the whistle. She maintained that the City’s actions including demoting her, taking away significant responsibilities, subjecting her to unwarranted and negative performance reviews, and isolating her from colleagues were direct punitive measures for having reported the serious misconduct. She asserted that this retaliation violated California Labor Code Section 1102.5, which exists to protect employees who report illegal or unethical activities by their employers.
Workplace Discrimination and Retaliation
The complaint included claims under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The retaliation against Dr. Wheldon had included a targeted campaign of harassment that created a hostile work environment. She argued the City’s actions constituted retaliation in violation of FEHA, as the negative treatment she experienced followed her protected
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