FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
After a Decade-Long Battle, FTR International and Founder Nizar Katbi Triumph Over LACCD in Landmark Retaliation Case
LOS ANGELES, Calif., December 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — After more than a decade of fighting to clear its name, FTR International Inc. and its president, Nizar Katbi, have secured a decisive victory against the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and six of its former Board Trustees.
The dispute began in 2012, when FTR and Mr. Katbi filed suit alleging that Trustees Miguel Santiago, Tina Park, Nancy Pearlman, Kelly Candaele, Scott Svonkin, and Steve Veres voted to debar the company from active LACCD contracts after FTR raised concerns over misconduct in an October 5, 2011 letter. The plaintiffs argued that the Board’s action constituted retaliation and violated their constitutional rights.
FTR refused to fold, and on March 10, 2012, Superior Court Honorable Judge Jane Johnson struck down the Board’s actions in full, ruling the debarment unlawful. The Trustees fought back, appealing the ruling and claiming immunity as government officials. The appellate court rejected their arguments. The California Supreme Court later affirmed that rejection, cementing FTR’s legal victory at the highest level.
In 2019, Superior Court Honorable Judge Carolyn Kuhl issued a Statement of Decision addressing the District’s liability for damages, with entitlement and punitive damages reserved for a jury trial as required by law.
A jury trial began on April 22, 2023, focused on whether the individual Trustees acted in retaliation. Before the plaintiffs concluded their case, LACCD and the former Trustees agreed to a comprehensive monetary confidential settlement resolving all claims brought by FTR, Mr. Katbi, and their related sureties, banks, and creditors. The settlement was approved by the court by the Honorable Stuart M. Rice.
The resolution concludes more than a decade of litigation, marking a significant legal and professional vindication for FTR International and Mr. Katbi. After years of challenging a powerful public institution, Mr. Katbi has successfully defended his company’s rights, illustrating the capacity of determination and persistence to prevail even against formidable opposition with unlimited resources and tens of millions of dollars in legal fees.
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About FTR International, Inc.:
FTR International is a general contracting company specializing in the construction of various public and private projects, including infrastructure, ports, institutional & educational buildings, stadiums, and security/police installations.
About the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD):
The LACCD is the largest community college district in the nation, serving more than 200,000 students across its nine campuses. The Board of Trustees is the governing body for the District.
