A Los Angeles County jury has awarded a former LAPD commander $5.7 million on Wednesday, finding her in favor in a lawsuit against the department that claimed she was wrongfully fired over an alcohol-related incident in April 2018.

Nicole Mehringer and her subordinate, Sgt. James Kelly, were reportedly found inside of an unmarked LAPD Dodge Charger that was stopped against a parked vehicle in the middle of the road in Glendale.

Kelly was reportedly behind the wheel and appeared to be under the influence, while Mehringer also showed signs of intoxication and was said to have argued with officers at the scene.

Glendale police told the L.A. Times that it took about 20 minutes to get the pair out of the vehicle.

Mehringer was charged with a single misdemeanor count of public intoxication. Kelly was booked on charges of driving under the influence.

Mehringer’s charge was later dismissed after she completed an outpatient recovery program, according to the Times. Kelly later pleaded no contest.

She said in her lawsuit that she was offered a demotion of two ranks to lieutenant, which she turned down, and ended up losing her job after a disciplinary panel ruled against her.

Kelly was reportedly downgraded to police officer from sergeant and assigned to an administrative role. He’s no longer listed on a recent department roster, the Times reported.

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Mehringer later sued the city, arguing she was held to a different standard than male colleagues who had committed similar or worse acts and were not fired. She argued that some of the men were allowed to retire quietly, and others kept their jobs or were even promoted.

The jury sided with Mehringer after hearing her testimony, in which she said she knew having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate and being drunk in public was wrong, but that her case was handled unfairly.

Mehringer said the verdict vindicates her and restores her reputation after years of legal battles with the city.

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