The Pasadena City Council will meet in closed session Monday ahead of its public meeting to discuss several major lawsuits, including a racial discrimination case against the police department and the city’s lawsuit seeking damages from the devastating Eaton Fire.
The special 4:30 p.m. meeting at City Hall addresses six litigation-related matters as well as labor contract negotiations, according to the published agenda.
One case involves Taisyn Crutchfield and other current or former Pasadena Police Department officers who filed a racial discrimination and retaliation lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against the city. Crutchfield, a Black officer who joined the department in 2021, is joined by Milton White and Jarvis Shelby a consolidated complaint.
Their lawsuits allege systematic racism within the police department spanning two decades, including racial harassment and whistleblower retaliation. The lawsuit contrasts Crutchfield’s discipline with the department’s handling of white officers who reportedly attended an on-duty drinking party without facing similar punishment. The case also includes allegations by Jarvis Shelby that a Police Commander placed him in a headlock during an August 2022 dispute.
Another case on the closed door agenda involves Lieutenant Carolyn Gordon, a former Pasadena Police Department officer who retired in April after 27 years of service. Gordon, who held the rank of lieutenant and worked in Internal Affairs, alleges she was shot in the groin with a paintball gun during a 1998 training exercise that caused internal bleeding. She claims she faced retaliation after filing complaints about the incident and was removed from special assignments and her Internal Affairs position for speaking out.
The council will also review the city’s lawsuit against Southern California Edison filed March 5, seeking compensation for extensive damages from the Eaton Fire that began January 7. The fire burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed approximately 9,400 structures, damaged over 1,000 structures, and killed at least 18 people.
The city alleges SCE’s electrical system faults caused the fire, citing the utility’s regulatory filings acknowledging that a “fault was detected” on its transmission circuit at the fire’s ignition time and location.
Los Angeles County and the City of Sierra Madre filed similar lawsuits against SCE on the same day as Pasadena, representing part of over 130 lawsuits filed against the utility related to the Eaton Fire.
Labor negotiations will focus on three employee groups, with City Manager Miguel Márquez and Tiffany Jacobs-Quinn representing the city.
The council will also discuss one potential case involving anticipated litigation.
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