Six-figure award for man who accused detective of affair with wife

Casillas called the deputies’ behavior scandalous, saying the $457,500 jury verdict was fair. The county will likely have to foot the bill.

Sheriff’s Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said Solano will now face an internal affairs investigation. Although, he said, sheriff's officials "believe we have very strong grounds for an appeal, so that's going to be carefully considered."

The attorney for both deputies did not immediately respond to requests for interviews Thursday evening.

A jury awarded more than $450,000 Thursday to a man who accused a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detective of having an affair with his wife while simultaneously investigating him for threatening his wife, according to the man’s attorney.

Alberto Gutierrez sued Det. Phillip Solano and another deputy for violating his civil rights. According to his attorney, he was taken into custody twice in 2008 on charges of violating a restraining order.

But during Gutierrez's trial, information surfaced that the man’s wife, Mayela Gutierrez Gil, and the detective were Facebook friends who had exchanged messages and calls. “How are you precious? I miss you a lot,” read one, according to Gutierrez’s attorney, Arnoldo Casillas.

Gutierrez was facing several misdemeanors, including making criminal threats, stalking and two counts of disobeying a domestic relations court order. A judge, however, dismissed the stalking charge and one count of disobeying a court order. A jury acquitted Gutierrez of the remaining charges.

A jury awarded more than $450,000 Thursday to a man who accused a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detective of having an affair with his wife while simultaneously investigating him for threatening his wife, according to the man’s attorney.

Alberto Gutierrez sued Det. Phillip Solano and another deputy for violating his civil rights. According to his attorney, he was taken into custody twice in 2008 on charges of violating a restraining order.

But during Gutierrez's trial, information surfaced that the man’s wife, Mayela Gutierrez Gil, and the detective were Facebook friends who had exchanged messages and calls. “How are you precious? I miss you a lot,” read one, according to Gutierrez’s attorney, Arnoldo Casillas.

Gutierrez was facing several misdemeanors, including making criminal threats, stalking and two counts of disobeying a domestic relations court order. A judge, however, dismissed the stalking charge and one count of disobeying a court order. A jury acquitted Gutierrez of the remaining charges.

During the trial, Gutierrez’s wife and the detective denied they had a romantic relationship. But Gutierrez said that his mother hired a private investigator who collected evidence that their relationship was romantic. Gutierrez said the criminal allegations came as he tried to regain partial custody of their three daughters, ages 4, 7 and 9.

Gutierrez accused a second deputy, Russell Verduzco, of conspiring with Solano to cover up evidence that showed Gutierrez’s wife was in fact the one making threats against him.

Casillas called the deputies’ behavior scandalous, saying the $457,500 jury verdict was fair. The county will likely have to foot the bill.

Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said both deputies will now face an internal affairs investigation. He said he believed they had been working at the sheriff’s Industry station.

The attorney for both deputies did not immediately respond to requests for interview Thursday evening.

During the trial, Gutierrez’s wife and the detective denied they had a romantic relationship. But Gutierrez said that his mother hired a private investigator who collected evidence that their relationship was romantic. Gutierrez said the criminal allegations came as he tried to regain partial custody of their three daughters, ages 4, 7 and 9.

Gutierrez accused a second deputy, Russell Verduzco, of conspiring with Solano to cover up evidence that showed Gutierrez’s wife was in fact the one making threats against him.

Casillas called the deputies’ behavior scandalous, saying the $457,500 jury verdict was fair. The county will likely have to foot the bill.

Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said both deputies will now face an internal affairs investigation. He said he believed they had been working at the sheriff’s Industry station.

The attorney for both deputies did not immediately respond to requests for interview Thursday evening.

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