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Ways and Means approves $300,000 for special prosecutors in People v. Edward V. Holly; county officials expect further requests
Summary
The committee authorized a $300,000 supplemental appropriation from contingency to the finance department to pay special prosecutors appointed by court order in People v. Edward V. Holly; county officials said the expense has been requested in prior years and additional appropriations are possible
The Orange County Ways and Means Committee approved a $300,000 supplemental appropriation from contingency Wednesday to pay outside attorneys appointed as special prosecutors in People v. Edward V. Holly, as required by a judicial order.
Andrea Concannon, Deputy Commissioner of Finance, told the committee this is the third supplemental appropriation the county has sought for the case. Concannon said the county spent about $323,000 in 2023 and about $408,000 in 2024 on the case; the new request brings previously appropriated and expended sums to roughly $731,005.82.
Concannon asked for the contingency funds after the court, which the transcript names as presided over by "the Honorable James McCarty," ordered that the county pay the expenses of the two privately appointed attorneys. Concannon said county staff asked multiple district attorney offices to take the case and none agreed, so the administrative judge ordered appointment of private attorneys and that the county pay their expenses.
Concannon and other staff explained that the county does not directly control the work of the appointed private attorneys; finance receives invoices and reviews them before payment. A county staff member who spoke in the discussion said hourly rates were negotiated through the county attorney's office and that the hourly rate in the order was about $300 per hour. Committee members pressed about oversight and whether additional money would be required; Concannon said she expected to return for further requests if more expenses come in.
The motion carried by voice vote; one committee member recorded opposition during the roll call.
Ending County finance staff said they will continue to process invoices from the special prosecutors and expect to update the committee if additional appropriations are needed.
