The California Supreme Court has chosen not to review a judgment against the city of West Covina, confirming an earlier jury verdict , which awarded more than $4.1 million in damages to Larry Whithorn , a former West Covina fire chief who sued the city for wrongful termination in March 2020.
The decision from the state’s highest court came on Wednesday, Oct. 15, closing down the last available appeal for the city, which on Aug.18 filed for the petition to review.
On July 9, the Second District Court of Appeal upheld the jury verdict in favor of Whithorn , a 28-year veteran of the West Covina Fire Department. The jury delivered its verdict on May 5, 2023.
Milan Mrakich, acting city manager for West Covina, said the state Supreme Court decision this was disappointing.
“While the