by Geoffrey Bennett

A jury awarded $6.2 million to a female firefighter who said she was harassed because she is black and a lesbian.

Brenda Lee, in her lawsuit against the Los Angeles Fire Department, claimed someone mixed urine with her mouthwash and said she was forced to perform strenuous exercises without regard for her safety.

A second phase of the trial could involve punitive damages against Lee's former supervisor.

This is the largest settlement from recent cases brought by women and minorities claiming discrimination and retaliation in the L.A. Fire Department.Two other firefighters have won jury awards after their cases were tried separately.