By Brian Anderson
Valley Times

June 21, 2001

OAKLAND -- An Alameda County jury refused punitive damages for a group of former Longs Drugs employees who accused the retailer of using heavy-handed interrogation tactics on workers suspected of breaking company policies.

Jurors deliberated for about three hours Wednesday before concluding that the behavior of the Walnut Creek-based chain's security agents did not warrant payments to the nine mostly teen workers.

The same jury ruled earlier this month that six of the nine plaintiffs in the case suffered severe emotional damage during questioning sessions and should be paid $50,000 each.

"We are pleased, of course, that this matter is behind us and that the jury found in our favor," Les Anderson, Longs vice president of administration, said in a statement. "We are, of course, disappointed when situations such as this arise involving terminations for employee theft. Our investigations of them were appropriately and professionally conducted, according to accepted industry standards."

Julie Mains, an attorney for the former employees, said she was pleased that jurors recognized initially that the company's loss prevention officials were abusive. She said lawyers would continue to pursue a similar class action suit against Longs.

"We will continue to fight," Mains said. "This is just one of the battles."

Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued during the trial that Longs loss prevention officials made physical threats and put "extreme and inhumane pressure" on employees to force them out.