LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach City College has agreed to pay $2.7 million to settle a yearslong retaliation lawsuit brought by its former superintendent-president, Reagan Romali, who alleged she was fired after reporting suspected misconduct involving members of the college's governing board.
The Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees approved the settlement Wednesday in a 4-0 vote, according to the Long Beach Post. Board President Uduak-Joe Ntuk, who was named as a defendant, was absent and recused himself from the vote.
The agreement resolves a bitter dispute dating to March 2020, when Romali was publicly identified as a whistleblower and fired two days later.
Romali alleged that her dismissal was retaliation for reporting trustees Ntuk and Vivian Malauulu to the Long Beach Police Department over suspected public corruption. Both trustees have denied wrongdoing.
In 2021, Romali filed a claim seeking $10 million in damages, alleging the trustees had persuaded the board to launch a retaliatory investigation that ultimately led to her termination. She also accused the college and trustees of damaging her reputation and undermining her ability to secure another senior academic position.
The district disputed her account, arguing in court filings that concerns about her performance had emerged before officials learned of her whistleblower complaint.
In a Sept. 11 court filing, district attorneys said an evaluation had confirmed concerns about Romali's performance, ethics and ability to work collaboratively, according to the Long Beach Post.
The legal dispute eventually reached Los Angeles County Superior Court, where Romali filed suit in June 2024.
The district's official Nov. 4 meeting agenda confirms that trustees were scheduled to discuss the lawsuit in closed session under Item 16.2, identifying it as Romali v. Long Beach Community College District, et al., Case No. 24STCV14190.
The settlement follows substantial legal expenses. In the September filing, district attorneys said the litigation had already cost more than $1 million in legal fees, with continued proceedings potentially adding another $1 million, the Long Beach Post reported.
Romali's attorney, Louis Cohen, described the settlement as vindication for his client and said she hoped to return to a college presidency.
Under the agreement, Romali must dismiss her claims against the remaining defendants with prejudice, preventing them from being refiled. The settlement also releases claims against Ntuk, who declined to comment to the Long Beach Post.
Malauulu had previously been dismissed from the lawsuit. The agreement resolves the litigation without a court finding that the allegations against the trustees were proven.
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