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Committee forwards indemnification request for former R&D director Douglas S. Adams to full council
Summary
The Committee on Finance recommended a favorable forwarding of Resolution 266-25, which seeks county indemnification for former Research & Development Director Douglas S. Adams in a civil employment-discrimination lawsuit; committee members noted sensitivity of case details and the complaint is public record.
HILO ' The Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance voted Aug. 19 to forward Resolution 266-25 with a favorable recommendation to the full council. The resolution would authorize indemnification of former Department of Research & Development Director Douglas S. Adams in a civil lawsuit identified in the committee packet.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Mark Disher told the committee that council members who know the parties personally may need to consider recusal when the council takes further action. Renee, representing the corporation counsel's office from Hilo, said the complaint included in the public packet contains allegations but that the filing is "merely the complaint" and the office is prepared to defend the county and its employees.
The complaint, as described in committee materials, alleges employment discrimination, emotional distress and negligent supervision against both the county and Adams. The committee record shows a hearing on a motion for summary judgment is scheduled for Sept. 24; corporation counsel said the court's ruling on that motion could affect the case trajectory.
Council Member Onishi moved to forward Resolution 266-25 to the full council with a favorable recommendation; Council Member Villegas seconded. After discussion about the appropriateness of discussing case details in public and an offer to move to executive session for deeper legal discussion, the committee voted in favor; the clerk recorded seven members in favor and the motion carried.
The motion authorizes indemnification under Hawaii County Code section 2-188 for actions within the scope of employment as alleged in the complaint. Committee members emphasized they were considering only the indemnification request and that allegations in the complaint remain unproven.
