By Lisa Richwine
LOS ANGELES, Dec 10 (Reuters) - A California appeals court
on Monday reversed a $1.2 million discrimination verdict against
"Star Wars" producer Lucasfilm in a case brought by a woman who
said she lost a job at the company because she was pregnant.
A three-judge panel in San Francisco said the jury had
received improper instruction before it ruled in favor of the
woman, Julie Veronese. In a decision issued on Monday, the
judges sent the case back to the trial court for a retrial and
reversed the $1.2 million award of attorneys' fees to Veronese.
Veronese claimed in a lawsuit she was offered a job as an
assistant at the estate of filmmaker George Lucas in 2008. She
said the offer was revoked after she told the company she was
pregnant, according to court documents.
Lucasfilm said it was pleased with the appeals court ruling,
calling the allegations "without merit."
"Lucasfilm is committed to equal employment opportunity and
has a long track record of providing a supportive work
environment free of discrimination," the company said in a
statement.
Angela Alioto, an attorney for Veronese, said she was
considering whether to appeal the case to the California Supreme
Court or proceed with a retrial.
Walt Disney Co announced in November it was buying Lucasfilm
for $4 billion.
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