Chief Sandra Spagnoli of the Beverly Hills Police Department has been the subject of a number of complaints against her in the past two years. The first of the cases to be settled will grant former Captain Mark Rosen $2.3 million in damages. Rosen had accused Spagnoli of denying him promotion opportunities based on his religion, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Spagnoli—who was hired as the city’s first female police chief in 2016—has been the target of at least 20 civil suits or employment complaints of racial and sexual discrimination during her tenure, according to The Times. At least 10 have made allegations in civil suits, while the others are contained in fair employment complaints or notices of intent to sue.
Beverly Hills spokesman Keith Sterling said the decision to settle Rosen's lawsuit was made by the city's insurance company.