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Orange County Board reports multiple closed-session settlements, including $1.05M officer-involved shooting claim
Summary
County counsel reported several closed-session outcomes: delegation of settlement authority in a civil-rights claim, approval of proposed settlements including a $1,050,000 proposed payout in an officer-involved shooting case and a $244,858.50 workers’ compensation settlement; final approvals are pending.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors returned to open session and county counsel read the results of several closed-session items, including approvals of proposed settlements and the delegation of limited settlement authority.
County counsel said the Board, citing Government Code Sections 54957(b), 54957.6 and 54956.9, discussed items listed as SCS I through SCS VII and reported the following formal actions. "With respect to SCS III," counsel said, "on a vote of 4–0 with Supervisor Doe absent, the Board approved the delegation of limited settlement authority to risk management to resolve the matter of Marcus Rodriguez III et al. v. County of Orange," a case the counsel described as involving allegations of false arrest, excessive force and civil-rights violations by deputy sheriff personnel investigating crimes allegedly committed by the plaintiff's son.
On a 4–0 vote with Supervisor Sue Brezdow absent, the Board authorized limited settlement authority to resolve Peter Cunningham v. County of Orange, a case counsel described as arising from an automobile accident and an alleged dangerous condition on Live Oak Canyon Road in Trabuco Canyon. Counsel said the vote likewise was 4–0 with Supervisor Sue Rezaudeau absent to approve a proposed $1,050,000 settlement in Syed Raza Hussein v. County of Orange, a suit arising from an officer-involved shooting in which the plaintiff alleges unlawful search and seizure, unlawful detention and arrest, battery, negligence and alleged violations of the Bane/Bain Act; counsel noted the settlement requires final approval by other parties before it is finalized.
The Board also approved a proposed $244,858.50 settlement in Stuart Rawlings v. County of Orange, a workers' compensation matter involving an Orange County Sheriff's Department sergeant who retired after 30 years and alleges cumulative trauma to his back, right shoulder and cardiovascular system; counsel said that vote was 4–0 with Resideo absent and that the agreement requires final approvals before the settlement is finalized. Counsel reported the Board took no reportable action on the Catholic Worker matter listed among the closed-session items.
Counsel further reported that, in an employment case identified as Damon Tucker v. County of Orange (case number 30-2021-01200119), the plaintiff — described as a district attorney investigator — has reportedly accepted the Board's counteroffer, which the Board had approved previously on a 3–0 vote with Chairman Wagner and Supervisor Doe absent as part of CS I on July 23, 2024; counsel said that agreement will also require final approval by other parties.
Copies of finalized settlement agreements, counsel said, will be made available through the Office of CEO Risk Management to anyone who requests them. "Beyond that, Mr. Chairman, the Board took no other reportable action in closed session today," counsel concluded.
The Board adjourned and the Chair announced the body will reconvene on September 10.
