County Settles Lawsuit with Former Employee for $786,000

The following is a news release from the County of Marin:

The County of Marin and a former employee reached a settlement in an employment termination case that was recently heard in federal courts.

The settlement, reached on February 20, was approved February 24 by the Marin County Board of Supervisors and announced by County Counsel Steven Woodside.

Marco Ramirez, a former Deputy Probation Officer, agreed to resolve all claims related to his job termination in February 2009 for $786,000. On February 10, a jury in the Northern District Court in San Francisco awarded $436,000 plus attorney fees and costs for the seven years of legal proceedings as well as potential reinstatement to his job.

The payout funds will come from an existing County reserve account.

Mr. Ramirez, an 11-year department employee, sued the County for discrimination and retaliation, and a federal district court threw out his claims in 2011. Earlier this year, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed there was no merit to the discrimination claims, but it reversed and remanded claims for retaliation. On February 10, a jury found for Mr. Ramirez on the retaliation claims and set a March 4court date to determine whether Mr. Ramirez should be reinstated to his previous position.

The settlement provides that Mr. Ramirez will not be entitled to employment reinstatement at the County of Marin and resolves all claims.

“We are disappointed and disagree with the jury’s verdict,” Woodside said. “We do not believe his termination had anything to do with retaliation. But we are pleased to close this case and move on.”

(Image via Shutterstock)