Carney R. Shegerian, founder of Shegerian & Associates, a Santa Monica-based litigation law firm specializing in employee rights, disclosed the filing of a state civil rights lawsuit filed this past week on behalf of Marc Mendoza against the Glendale Police Department alleging wrongful demotion, harassment, discrimination, retaliation and failure to prevent discrimination and harassment in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
The lawsuit asserts that defendants have harassed and discriminated against Mendoza for his support of and friendship with one of five Armenian officers who filed a federal lawsuit against the Glendale Police Department just months ago, for ongoing harassment, retaliation and discrimination.
The lawsuit alleges that on March 25, 2010, one of Mendoza’s supervisors told Mendoza, “I come from a military background, where when we had supervisors like (One of the Armenian Officers in 2010 lawsuit) they would get fragged with a grenade,” and added, “If I had a grenade, I would throw it in his cubicle.”
The lawsuit also alleges that two days after the above incident, defendant Keith James, another officer and one of Mendoza’s supervisors, called plaintiff Mendoza and told him, “You need to do a complete turnaround. [One of the Armenian Officers in 2010 lawsuit] is going down, and when he goes down none of the team members want to work with you, and you should go back to patrol.” He added, “Everyone is starting to call you Mendozian,” a direct reference to his support and association with an Armenian Glendale Police Department officer.
Shegerian stated, “Mr. Mendoza, of Filipino ancestry, has worked protecting all citizens of the city of Glendale for over 16 years. Day in and day out he, like so many other officers, risked everything to protect others and make sure the rule of law was applied fairly and justly in the streets of this community. How the Glendale Police Department could turn around and demote him because he was associated with, friendly to and supportive of Armenian officers asserting their civil rights is tragic.”
An experienced trial attorney, Shegerian has tried many jury trials to verdict in both state and federal court, always representing individuals that have suffered financial or emotional losses and have been wronged by employers, including major corporations. Shegerian has built a remarkable career on helping those who have been wronged in the workplace. He remains undefeated in federal jury trials and has won 14 seven figure verdicts representing employees.