$1,550,000 California Whistleblower Retaliation Verdict

On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in the case of Jessica Lee v. Kingsford Capital Management, LLC, Contra Costa County Superior Court Case No. CIVMSC18-00816, the jury returned a verdict of $1,550,000 for Plaintiff against defendant Kingsford Capital Management, LLC, on Plaintiff's claim for Whistleblower Retaliation under California Labor Code section 1102.5. Mr. Aune represents Ms. Lee and was the Trial Attorney. The Jury Trial took place at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez, California.

The jury voted was 11 to 1 for Plaintiff for the Labor Code section 1102.5 Whistleblower Retaliation claim. in addition, the jury voted 11 to 1 for Punitive Damages, Phase I, for Plaintiff.

The Jury Trial on Punitive Damages, Phase II, took place on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. The jury voted 10-2 to award $0 in punitive damages to Plaintiff.

The 15-day Jury Trial took place over 4 weeks on November 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, and December 2, 3, 4, and 5, 2024. Jury deliberations were on December 6, 9, and 10. The Punitive Damages Trial, Phase II, took place on December 11, 2024. Jury deliberations were also on December 11, 2024.

Plaintiff called ten (10) witnesses in her Case-in-Chief including seven (7) current and former Kingsford employees. Defendant Kingsford's counsel conducted cross-examination and direct examination of Plaintiff's witnesses during Plaintiff's Case-in-Chief. Defendant Kingsford called 2 witnesses in its Case-in-Chief or a total of 12 witnesses over the course of the trial.

During the course of the Jury Trial approximately 96 Exhibits were entered into evidence. Plaintiff entered 64 exhibits into evidence.

Prior to trial Defendant Kingsford served a Code of Civil Procedure Section 998 Offer on Plaintiff offering to settle the case for $500,000.

Under California Labor Code section 1102.5, Mr. Aune has a right to file a Motion for Attorney's Fees. Specifically, California Labor Code Section 1102.5(j) mandates that "The court is authorized to award reasonable attorney's fees to a plaintiff who brings a successful action for a violation of these provisions."

Plaintiff worked at Kingsford Capital Management, LLC, a short seller hedge fund.

The lawsuit/Complaint in this matter was filed on or about November 17, 2017 in San Francisco County Superior Court under case number CGC-17-562567. On or about April 3, 2018, the case was transferred to Contra Costa County Superior Court under case number C18-00816. The First Amended Complaint was filed on November 19, 2020. The lawsuit is filed in Contra Costa Superior Court.

Case Name: Lee v. Wilkins, et al.
Courthouse: Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
725 Court Street
Martinez, CA 94553
Case No. CIVMSC18-00816
District Judge: Hon. Charles S. Treat
Department: 12