Judge Denied New Trial for Fire Department Employees
A judge upheld the jury's verdict in a racial discrimination lawsuit filed against the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Judge Michael Shultz denied a request for a new trial from four Black arson investigators who alleged systemic racial discrimination and retaliation within the Los Angeles Fire Department. The ruling keeps in place the jury's decision that favored only two of the six original plaintiffs.
Why it matters
The lawsuit challenged the internal culture of the Los Angeles Fire Department, with plaintiffs claiming the agency operated as a good old white boys club. The judge's decision reaffirms that the jury reached correct verdicts based on the evidence presented during the proceedings.
Judge Michael Shultz issued his ruling on September 24, 2026, confirming the original March 2026 jury verdict. The decision finalized the denial of a new trial for four of the six original plaintiffs.
The players
Michael Shultz
He is the judge at the Los Angeles Superior Court who presided over the discrimination lawsuit and the subsequent motion for a new trial.
Los Angeles Fire Department
This is the municipal agency responsible for fire protection and emergency services in Los Angeles that faced allegations of systemic racial bias.
Mario Newte
He is a plaintiff and arson investigator who was one of the two individuals awarded $600,000 in damages by the jury.
Sean Morris
He is a plaintiff and arson investigator who was one of the two individuals awarded $600,000 in damages by the jury.
The details
Plaintiffs filed the initial 89-page lawsuit in June 2021, citing a hostile work environment and retaliation. The court determined there were no procedural defects regarding verdict forms that would justify a retrial after reviewing the trial record.
Timeline
The original lawsuit was filed in June 2021.
A jury delivered the initial verdict on March 3, 2026.
Judge Michael Shultz issued the ruling denying a new trial on September 24, 2026.
Legal Context
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing workplace culture and discrimination claims within large municipal public safety agencies. The ruling underscores the high legal bar for challenging a jury's findings once a verdict has been officially entered into the court record.
The resolution of this case clarifies the current legal standing of internal discrimination complaints within the city's emergency service departments. Residents may see continued scrutiny and potential policy reforms as the department addresses the underlying workplace allegations.
The takeaway
Legal challenges to jury verdicts require evidence of significant procedural errors rather than mere disagreement with the final award. This case serves as a reminder of how high the threshold remains for employees seeking to overturn workplace discrimination rulings in court.
Further reading
Learn more about local oversight in our Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
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