Beverly Hills Police Department Sgt. William Fair filed a claim for damages against the city, alleging several unlawful labor violations by supervisors in the police department. The allegations include harassment, retaliation and infliction of emotional distress, according to the claim, which was obtained by the Beverly Press. The City Council held a closed session hearing on the matter on April 21.

The claim was submitted to the city on May 20, 2025, and rejected by the city on July 10. Fair’s attorney sent an additional letter to the city on July 30 – a settlement proposal to reach a potential resolution of Fair’s claims, according to the document. However, it appears Fair – a current employee – and the city have not resolved the matter, which was listed in the agenda for the April 21 City Council meeting as anticipated litigation.

The claim alleges that Fair was promoted to police lieutenant in 2021, but “unjustifiably demoted” to sergeant in 2022 after a “sham investigation” was conducted into him and he was wrongfully placed on administrative leave.

According to the claim, the demotion, investigation and administrative leave constituted acts of retaliation, after Fair disclosed antisemitic and racist comments made by his supervisors. The claim alleges that in 2017, then-captain Scott Dowling used an antisemitic ethnic slur towards Fair. The claim also alleges that Fair heard several employees in BHPD management refer to arrestees as “animals,” without repercussions.

The claim states that Fair disclosed the racist comments during a 2018 deposition in a lawsuit filed against Dowling and then-Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli. Spagnoli retired in 2020 following several lawsuits accusing her of racist and antisemitic comments and improper sexual relationships.

Although Spagnoli retired in 2020, The claim filed by Fair alleges that the retaliatory actions continued throughout the years, and were made due to “his deposition testimony and unwillingness to help management hide misconduct whenever necessary.”

Attorneys for Fair did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

“The city will not comment on any specifics outlined in the claim,” a statement from City Attorney Laurence Wiener read. “However, the city of Beverly Hills strives to uphold the highest ideals of fairness, dignity and equality and provides a positive work environment for all.”