City of Palmdale reaches $5 million settlement with former employees over harassment claims

City settles lawsuit for $5.2 million

PALMDALE — The City of Palmdale paid $5.2 million to settle a lawsuit by three former employees alleging instances of harassment, discrimination, retaliation and fear of workplace violence during the tenure of former city manager J.J. Murphy.

City of Palmdale reaches $5 million settlement with former employees over harassment claims

Three former city of Palmdale employees will be awarded more than $5 million after the city agreed to settle a lawsuit that claims the workers faced harassment and retaliation after reporting a top-ranking city official had brought a gun to work.

Palmdale pays $5.25 million to settle lawsuit over gun-toting city manager

Palmdale will pay $5.25 million to settle a lawsuit from three high-level employees who alleged they felt threatened and uncomfortable because a former city manager regularly brought a gun to work and was recorded receiving oral sex from a married woman. The employees, Deputy City Manager Michael Behen, Human Resources Manager Patricia Nevarez and City Clerk Shanae Smith, filed the lawsuit in June 2022. Their complaint alleged former City Manage…