Romero Law Obtains $1,000,000 Jury Verdict in Police Whistleblower Retaliation Trial

Jose Garza v. City of Parlier

Fresno Superior Court Case No. 21CECG09253

LINK TO COMPLAINT

ABC30 FRESNO NEW COVERAGE

On September 16, 2024 a Fresno Superior Court jury awarded former Parlier Police Department Chief Jose Garza $1,000,000 in his whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against his former employer, the City of Parlier. Chief Garza (presently the Chief of the Coalinga Police Department) was terminated due to his refusal to participate in the coverup of the felony embezzlement of public funds by a city employee, protected by Mayor Alma Beltran. The City Manager, controlled by Mayor Beltran, ordered Garza and an outside investigator to cease communicating with the Fresno County District Attorney about the embezzlement and to shut down the investigation. Chief Garza refused this illegal order, and the jury found that he was unlawfully fired as a direct result.

The verdict was a huge vindication for Chief Garza, and proved that he was illegally fired by a cabal of three members of the Parlier City Council who were under the total control of Mayor Beltran. Chief Garza stated that his reputation earned from 40 years of unblemished law enforcement experience was completely shattered by Mayor Beltran and the City of Parlier. It is hoped that this verdict will serve as an inflection point not in Chief Garza’s life, but in the political future of the City of Parlier.