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A Fresno woman has been awarded more than $15 million after a jury found the City of Fresno liable in a workplace discrimination case tied to allegations of racial harassment.
La-Kebbia “Kiki” Wilson, a former employee in the city’s code enforcement department, filed a lawsuit in 2019 alongside a co-worker, alleging she was repeatedly targeted and subjected to racial discrimination on the job, according to The Fresno Bee.
During the trial, Wilson’s co-worker testified that the supervisor referred to her using a racial slur, calling her an “entitled n****r” and accusing her of using her race to her advantage.
The lawsuit centered on claims that Wilson’s supervisor created a hostile work environment, including allegations that he used racist language and reinforced harmful stereotypes about Black women. Wilson said the experience left a lasting impact.
“They made me seem like I was the angry Black woman,” she said following the verdict.
Her co-plaintiff, Charles Smith, who is white, also brought claims against the city, alleging he witnessed and was affected by the same workplace environment because of his connection to Wilson.
After years of legal proceedings, a jury returned a verdict in favor of both employees following a trial in March. Wilson was awarded approximately $15.4 million in damages, while Smith was awarded about $400,000.
The case also highlighted questions about accountability within the department. According to The Fresno Bee, the supervisor denied using racial slurs during testimony, and a prior internal investigation did not substantiate the allegations. However, attorneys for Wilson argued that disciplinary actions within the department were not applied equally.
Wilson’s legal team said the outcome reflects the strength of the evidence presented in court.
“We proved our case,” her attorney said following the verdict, adding that the city had contested the claims throughout the legal process.
City officials are now weighing their next steps. Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi said the city could consider appealing the decision, noting the financial implications of the judgment.
“If this judgment is upheld, there will be tough decisions ahead,” Karbassi said.
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