"Sgt. Frank Lodes was forced to leave the job he loved in 2022 - penning a resignation letter in a Del Taco parking lot - while a high-ranking department official threatened him with mounting investigations."
"Darvish said the award was a 'significant number' that adequately represents the harm inflicted on Lodes, noting that the period since his forced retirement has been the 'darkest four years' of Lodes' life."
"'Being a cop was his life; he lived and breathed it 24/7,' said Darvish. 'It was his entire identity, and that's why it was so difficult for him when it was taken away.'"
Riverside County has been ordered to pay $2.25 million to former Sgt. Frank Lodes, who was forced to resign after reporting workplace harassment. Lodes claimed he faced pressure and threats from a high-ranking official, leading to his involuntary resignation in 2022. A civil jury found that Lodes suffered emotional damages due to the hostile work environment. His attorney described the award as significant, reflecting the harm done to Lodes, who struggled with the loss of his identity as a police officer. The case unfolds amid a competitive governor's race involving Sheriff Chad Bianco.
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