Ignoring Harassment Cost the LAPD $4 Million: Jury Sides with Female Captain in Landmark Case
In a powerful reminder of the cost of silence and inaction, the City of Los Angeles has been ordered to pay $4 million in damages to LAPD Captain Lillian Carranza, who sued the department for failing to address a serious workplace harassment issue.
The case, Carranza v. City of Los Angeles, centered around the electronic circulation of a topless photo of a woman who resembled Carranza but was not her. Although Captain Carranza never saw the photo herself, she learned from others that it was widely discussed and shared among LAPD officers, effectively creating a hostile and humiliating environment.
Carranza, a veteran officer with decades of service, reported the misconduct and urged the department to intervene. She requested that those sharing the image be ordered to stop and held accountable. But the LAPD did nothing—no internal directive was issued, no meaningful investigation occurred, and no officers were disciplined.
Carranza filed a lawsuit under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), arguing that the department’s inaction exposed her to a sex-based hostile work environment. The jury agreed.
This case underscores several key points:
Harassment is not limited to direct actions like verbal abuse or physical misconduct. It can include rumors, inappropriate imagery, and disrespectful behavior—even when the subject of the harassment is not physically present in the content.
Failure to act is itself a form of harm. When employers—especially public agencies—fail to take allegations seriously, they send a message that inappropriate behavior is acceptable or will be tolerated.
Legal protections are real—and enforceable. The FEHA exists to shield employees from discrimination and harassment based on protected categories, including sex. When employers violate those rights, victims can seek justice—and win.
For too long, women in male-dominated professions like law enforcement have been forced to quietly endure a culture of disrespect and objectification. Captain Carranza’s victory sends a clear message: no one is above the law—not even the police.
In addition to the monetary judgment, the case is a wake-up call for public institutions across California. Ignoring or minimizing workplace harassment is not just a moral failing—it’s a legal and financial risk.
The LAPD has not said whether it will appeal the verdict, but the damage—to its reputation and to public trust—has already been done.
Bottom line: If you are facing harassment at work and your employer isn’t listening, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Legal protections exist—and you are not alone.
If you should have any questions or are in need of further information, please call the Law Offices of Timothy D. McGonigle for a free confidential consultation. Call (800) 713-5260 today!
