Contact:      Jon Y. Vanderpool                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tosdal, Smith, Steiner & Wax                 May 29, 2008

                     619.239.7200239.7200239.7200

                  

 

Federal Court Rules in Favor of

Riverside County Officers

 

RIVERSIDE - On Wednesday May 23, 2008 a federal court jury returned a unanimous verdict finding Riverside County willfully violated the law by failing to pay 88 Riverside County Sheriffs' Department officers.

 

          The county maintained that readiness activities, including preparation of uniforms, equipment and vehicles for work, were not compensable.

 

          The federal court jury, however, thought differently.

 

          The jury's willfulness finding showed that Riverside County's human resources and sheriffs' department personnel were aware of these workplace violations alleged in and prior to 2002, but intentionally refused to correct or disregard them.

 

          The claims period covering shifts worked by officers from 2002 through 2005 occurred under former Riverside County Sheriff Bob Doyle, who abruptly resigned in fall 2007.

 

          Immediately after the verdict was returned, Riverside County's trial counsel, Brian Walter of Liebert, Cassidy & Whitmore, told jurors the county planned to appeal.