Appeals court reverses $6.2M discrimination verdict for lesbian firefighter against city of LA

Calif. court reverses $6.2M firefighter judgment

LOS ANGELES — An appeals court has reversed a $6.2 million verdict against the city of Los Angeles in a discrimination lawsuit filed by a black lesbian firefighter.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal issued a decision Thursday in the case filed by Brenda Lee of Mission Hills. She sued the city alleging the fire department discriminated against her based on race, gender and sexual orientation.

Lee claimed her superiors made derogatory comments about her and put her through grueling drills without proper precautions.

The appeals court says Lee failed to pursue all administrative remedies after she was fired in 2005.

The 2007 jury payout was the largest of several cases that alleged discrimination and retaliation against women and minorities within the Los Angeles Fire Department.