5.-I. ID 26-346 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(1)
Case Name: La-Kebbia Wilson v. City of Fresno; et al, Eastern District Court Case No. 1:19-cv-01658
A federal jury has already reviewed the evidence and determined that harm occurred. This is no longer about whether something happened, but how the City chooses to respond. There is no dollar amount that can fully account for the cost of prolonged discrimination, retaliation, and toxic workplace conditions. The impact on a person’s health, stability, family, and overall well-being cannot be undone. As you consider your next steps, I ask that you weigh the full cost of an appeal. This is not only a legal decision, but a financial one that affects taxpayers, and a moral one that shapes public trust.
Continuing to fight this case sends a message to the community. At a time when we are working to bridge gaps, rebuild trust, and address inequities that still exist in many workplaces, that message matters.
Leadership requires accountability, not avoidance. I urge you to consider whether prolonging this case serves the people of Fresno, or increases cost while deepening distrust.
Vote to bring this issue to a resolution ASAP or keep digging the hole. After sitting through 2 weeks of presented evidence and testimony provided by both sides, including testimony given by prior City Attorney and current Fresno County Head Council Doug Sloan, prior City of Fresno Human Resource Director and current Fresno Housing Authority HR Director Jeff Cardell, current Chief Asst City Atty Erica Camarena, Asst City Atty Christina Roberson, and current Director of Planning and Development Jennifer Clark, the jury obviously heard a case where they decided to award such a verdict against the city. “Houston, we have a problem”. A lot of City higher ups involved, a lot of money spent, a lot of money awarded to plaintiffs, a lot of questions…. Can’t wait for the biopic.
Continuing to delay or appeal this case is ridiculous. The jury's verdict has been stated and heard. Let's learn from our mistakes and not repeat them, do right by people and not discriminate!
The City should accept responsibilty of the blatant wrongs committed against Mrs. Wilson by multiple Dept Heads, and invest in City wide training outside of the standard provided bi-yearly. Nuances of this case have not been made public, but further litigation will expose the City to significant embarrassment, additional plaintiffs / lawsuits, and be a shock to the public and employees as to the extent these Dept Heads went to tarnish Mrs. Wilson name and true reputation. All investigations are tainted with the failure of the City to fully investigate the racist claim, not to mention the City’s failure to protect or listen to her. Hopefully the City Atty (who wasn’t present at trial) or Atty Mandy Stagecoach do not spoon feed you, and provide facts that are no longer disputed, and as agreed upon by the jury. Is it a coincidence that the major decision makers in this are no longer employed with City, such as Doug Sloan and Jeff Cardale. There are a few folks who are still with the City in Admin Staff Asst. positions that would be brought into further and extended litigation. Ask about the Deposition statements / videos of Cardale and Dallas Sellings, the Family Law Atty who conducted a investigation after signing a contract with the CAO (Francine Kane) even though her experience and other portions of the contract were proven to be false.
A federal jury has already reviewed the evidence and determined that harm occurred. This is no longer about whether something happened, but how the City chooses to respond. There is no dollar amount that can fully account for the cost of prolonged discrimination, retaliation, and toxic workplace conditions. The impact on a person’s health, stability, family, and overall well-being cannot be undone. As you consider your next steps, I ask that you weigh the full cost of an appeal. This is not only a legal decision, but a financial one that affects taxpayers, and a moral one that shapes public trust.
Continuing to fight this case sends a message to the community. At a time when we are working to bridge gaps, rebuild trust, and address inequities that still exist in many workplaces, that message matters.
Leadership requires accountability, not avoidance. I urge you to consider whether prolonging this case serves the people of Fresno, or increases cost while deepening distrust.
Vote to bring this issue to a resolution ASAP or keep digging the hole. After sitting through 2 weeks of presented evidence and testimony provided by both sides, including testimony given by prior City Attorney and current Fresno County Head Council Doug Sloan, prior City of Fresno Human Resource Director and current Fresno Housing Authority HR Director Jeff Cardell, current Chief Asst City Atty Erica Camarena, Asst City Atty Christina Roberson, and current Director of Planning and Development Jennifer Clark, the jury obviously heard a case where they decided to award such a verdict against the city. “Houston, we have a problem”. A lot of City higher ups involved, a lot of money spent, a lot of money awarded to plaintiffs, a lot of questions…. Can’t wait for the biopic.
Continuing to delay or appeal this case is ridiculous. The jury's verdict has been stated and heard. Let's learn from our mistakes and not repeat them, do right by people and not discriminate!
The City should accept responsibilty of the blatant wrongs committed against Mrs. Wilson by multiple Dept Heads, and invest in City wide training outside of the standard provided bi-yearly. Nuances of this case have not been made public, but further litigation will expose the City to significant embarrassment, additional plaintiffs / lawsuits, and be a shock to the public and employees as to the extent these Dept Heads went to tarnish Mrs. Wilson name and true reputation. All investigations are tainted with the failure of the City to fully investigate the racist claim, not to mention the City’s failure to protect or listen to her. Hopefully the City Atty (who wasn’t present at trial) or Atty Mandy Stagecoach do not spoon feed you, and provide facts that are no longer disputed, and as agreed upon by the jury. Is it a coincidence that the major decision makers in this are no longer employed with City, such as Doug Sloan and Jeff Cardale. There are a few folks who are still with the City in Admin Staff Asst. positions that would be brought into further and extended litigation. Ask about the Deposition statements / videos of Cardale and Dallas Sellings, the Family Law Atty who conducted a investigation after signing a contract with the CAO (Francine Kane) even though her experience and other portions of the contract were proven to be false.