Orange County supervisors report $995,000 in proposed closed-session settlements; delegate authority in Garcia case

The Orange County Board of Supervisors announced the approval of three proposed settlements totaling $995,000 and delegated limited settlement authority in a fourth pending case during a closed-session meeting invoked under Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) and (d)(2).

An unidentified speaker said the board approved a proposed $750,000 settlement in the matter of Renee Fragoso v. County of Orange on a vote of 4 to 0, with Supervisor Foley absent. The speaker summarized the claim as arising when a forklift driver, described as an extra-help employee, dropped a metal ramp on the plaintiff’s foot; the plaintiff, a truck driver, suffered broken bones that required surgical intervention. The speaker said the settlement remains subject to final approval by other parties and that copies will be available from the county’s risk management office.

The board also approved a proposed $100,000 settlement for Roberto Puga and Liberata Puga on a 4-to-0 vote with Supervisor Foley absent. According to the announcement, the claimants were involved in a motor-vehicle collision with an on-duty Orange County District Attorney investigator on State Route 22 in Garden Grove and suffered personal injuries and property damage. The speaker said the settlement is subject to final approval and copies will be made available by the county’s risk management office.

In the matter of Beatrice Mendoza v. County of Orange, the board approved a proposed $145,000 settlement on a recorded vote of 3 to 0; Chairman Chaffee abstained and Supervisor Foley was absent. The speaker said Mendoza, a former county employee, alleged discrimination and retaliation in connection with her at-will discharge. As with the other matters, the settlement was described as subject to final approvals and documentation would be available through the county’s risk management office.

The board also delegated limited settlement authority to the county counsel’s office and to outside counsel Shepherd Mullen to settle and resolve the pending case Rebecca Garcia v. County of Orange; that delegation was reported as approved 4 to 0 with Supervisor Foley absent. The speaker said Supervisor Foley had informed the board she approved the direction despite her absence.

The speaker said the board took no other reportable action in closed session. The next regularly scheduled meeting was announced for 05/06/2025 at 9:30 a.m.

“The board approved a proposed $750,000 settlement, the matter of Renee Fragoso versus County of Orange,” the unidentified speaker said when announcing the action. Copies of finalized agreements will be available through the county’s risk management office, the speaker added.