(May 20, 2003) -- This afternoon, a jury awarded Pine Ave. restauranteur John Morris, the owner of "Mum's," $7,500 in punitive damages assessed against former City Manager Henry Taboada.

The jury's punitive damage award is in addition to $425,000 in actual damages awarded last week by the same jury, jointly and severally against the City of Long Beach and Mr. Taboada in Mr. Morris' civil suit.

The jury found that LB city officialdom had, in effect, punished Mr. Morris for expressing views critical of certain City Hall development policies.

Previous related coverage:

"Mum's" Owner John Morris Wins $425,000 In Civil Suit Against City Hall, Jury Decides City Hall Punished Him For His Critical Views