Judge overturns jury ruling that awarded $2 . 9 million to Santa Ana whistleblower – Orange County Register

An Orange County judge overturned a $2.9 million judgment a jury awarded to Rita Ramirez, a former Santa Ana Police administrative manager and whistleblower who, according to the lawsuit, accused former Chief David Valentin of systemic retaliation that ultimately forced her to resign. In her lawsuit, Ramirez said she faced escalating retaliation that ultimately forced her to resign after she refused to join Valentin’s “camp” or participate in internal power struggle she described as a “gang-like loyalty system,” within the agency. Jurors had unanimously ruled in favor of Ramirez and found the city liable for retaliation related to her whistleblower complaints. Court records show the alleged retaliation began in 2018, according to the initial court ruling announced in December of last year.