Karin White v. City of Pasadena

After her first termination from the City of Pasadena Police Department and subsequent reinstatement, Karin White brought a lawsuit in state court claiming that she had been discriminated against and harassed by the City due to its perception that she had a disability. After her second termination, she reiterated her discrimination and harassment claims in an administrative proceeding, where she also argued that the termination was retaliatory. Both of White’s actions resulted in a decision in favor of the City. White now brings claims in federal court based on the same theories litigated in state proceedings. We conclude that California principles of issue preclusion prevent us from reaching these issues here.

I.

The lengthy course of litigation at issue in this case began with the City’s attempted termination of White in 2004. The City had hired White as a police officer in 1996. Two years later, White was diagnosed with relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis, which her doctor said would not limit her performance of her official duties. In November 2004, the City terminated White for allegedly associating with a known drug dealer (who was also the father of her son)…