Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Closed Session Settlements topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Orange County reports $19.75 million global settlement, delegates authority for related claims
Summary
County Counsel reported the board unanimously approved a $19,750,012.30 global pre‑litigation settlement with multiple insurers, delegated limited settlement authority for named individual claims and authorized outside counsel for additional litigation matters.
County Counsel reported the Orange County Board of Supervisors met in closed session and approved a series of settlements and delegations arising from recent litigation and claims.
“Pursuant to Government Code section 549.560.9, the board met in closed session to discuss the items referenced on today's agenda,” County Counsel told the board, and then summarized five closed‑session items. The board “unanimously approved the settlement of various pre‑litigation claims” including a $19,750,012.30 global agreement with multiple insurers, County Counsel said.
The notice named insurers included in the settlement as the parties listed in the closed‑session report. The board also unanimously delegated limited settlement authority to resolve an individual claim by Robin Putt and delegated limited authority to risk‑management outside counsel to resolve claims brought by Jamie Ray McLean (individually and as trustee of a family trust) and a set of named family members and beneficiaries.
County Counsel reported the board also approved delegation of limited settlement authority to resolve Jane Doe 1 v. County of Orange, a case alleging the Social Services Agency failed to adequately investigate reports of child abuse involving two female minors. That matter, the counsel said, involves criminal convictions of the children's biological father and stepmother.
In an employment matter, the board rejected a mediator’s $2,500,000 settlement proposal in Jennifer Kearns v. County of Orange, a suit brought by a district‑attorney investigator alleging retaliation related to involvement in the Robichaux criminal case; the county disputed the allegations. The board likewise rejected a plaintiff’s demand in a separate case arising from a 2017 misidentification of a deceased homeless person.
For another litigation matter — Mindos Severs v. County of Orange — the board authorized county counsel to retain the law firm Seltzer Kaplan (firm name provided in the closed‑session report) to assist in the county’s defense related to termination of a ground lease at Be Well Orange. The board approved lead counsel Neil Panish at the board‑approved rate of $775 per hour and authorized partner, associate and paralegal rates as disclosed in the closed‑session report.
County Counsel closed by saying that “beyond that, Mr. Chairman, the board took no reportable action.” The board then proceeded to its open‑session business.
What happens next: delegated settlement authority allows county staff and outside counsel to negotiate and, where authorized, finalize individual resolutions. The closed‑session report provided the board’s public disclosure of those decisions; further details will appear in future agendas or filings if settlement documents are finalized.
