UNUSUAL DISPUTE: AZ State Senate Says It Paid Talonya Adams Her $300,000 Retaliation Verdict; Adams Tells Court That's False

Attorneys for the Arizona State Senate yesterday told the court that they have paid former staffer Talonya Adams the $300,000+ in damages after a jury had awarded her more than $2.75M for employment retaliation. (Federal law capped the award at $300,000.)

(From Twitter profile)

However, Adams today told the court that she did not receive the $300,000 check that was apparently sent by regular first class mail.

The unusual legal exchange is the latest chapter in a long-running case that has had political implications. Adams reported to the Senate's Democratic Caucus, and she maintains that the retaliation shows that then-Minority Leader Katie Hobbs racially discriminated against her. The alleged discrimination was not the basis for the verdict.

Adams does acknowledge receiving a second, smaller check (less than $6,000) mailed September 30, but the issue is the $300,000 check purportedly mailed on September 21. (Interestingly, the smaller check was mailed by certified mail but the large one was not.)

The State Senate switched law firms on the case last month, from Clark Hill (formerly Ryley Carlock) to Littler Mendelson. The latter filed a Satisfaction of Judgment yesterday; Arizona law gives that responsibility to the party that receives the money, but federal law is less clear.

Arizona's Law has reached out to both parties for responses, and will update as warranted.

(The exhibits were removed pending redaction of personal info.)

This article was reported by AZ Law founder Paul Weich. Paul was running for a seat in Arizona's House of Representatives.

"AZ Law" includes articles, commentaries and updates about opinions from the Arizona Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, as well as trial and appellate courts, etc. AZ Law is founded by Phoenix attorney Paul Weich, and joins Arizona's Politics on the internet. 

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