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Fired Senate staffer awarded millions in discrimination suit

360 capitol museum phx
AZPM Staff
The Arizona Capitol Museum building at the State Capitol in Phoenix.

A jury has awarded $2.75 million to an Arizona legislative staffer who said she was fired from her job as a policy adviser for state Senate Democrats because of discrimination based on her race and gender.

Tuesday's verdict marks the second trial victory for Talonya Adams, a Black woman who acted as her own lawyer and witness.

Adams was awarded $1 million in 2019 and the Senate was ordered to give her job back, but a federal judge ordered a new trial last year.

Adams reported the verdict to KPNX-TV following a three-day trial.

The damages are likely to be reduced at $300,000 because of a cap on federal employment discrimination claims.