Former Officer Loses Lawsuit Over Her Job
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After six years of contentious litigation, a jury has determined that former Simi Valley Police Officer Debbra Accardi was not wrongfully fired.
Although acknowledging that she was the victim of some gender discrimination, the jury came out on the side of the city Tuesday after deliberating for two days and did not award Accardi the more than $500,000 she was asking in compensation for lost wages and emotional distress.
“This is a victory for the city and a victory for common sense,” said City Atty. John Torrance.
Accardi worked for the Simi Valley Police Department for 11 years until she injured her knee on the job in 1988.
Accardi said she was forced to quit in 1991 after supervisors told her to say she was fit enough to return to work or take early retirement.
She also said she was the victim of pranks and harassment that began the day she started the job in 1980. The city argued that no pressure was ever placed on Accardi and that she quit because her injury never fully healed.
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