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Orange County supervisors report settlements totaling about $11.9 million, direct trial in Ace Kelly case
Summary
In closed session reported publicly, the board approved multiple settlements (including a $9 million agreement approved 4–1), delegated limited settlement authority for several airport‑fire claims and instructed counsel to take the Ace Kelly matter to trial.
County counsel reported that the Orange County Board of Supervisors met in closed session under California Government Code sections 54957(b) and 54956.9(d)(1) and returned with several decisions affecting pending litigation.
The board approved a proposed $9,000,000 settlement in Doe v. Harvey on a 4–1 vote, with Chairman Chaffee recorded as the lone dissent. County counsel said the $9 million package resolves six individual claimants, with each proposed payment listed at $1,500,000. "The settlement approved today remains subject to the final approval of others," county counsel said, and copies will be made available through CEO risk management upon finalization.
The board also unanimously approved a $150,000 settlement in Novares v. Flores, a personal‑injury claim alleging negligence by an Orange County sheriff’s deputy after a bicycle‑vehicle collision, and a $325,000 workers’‑compensation settlement in Dara Valla v. County of Orange, a case involving a deceased former sheriff’s sergeant who suffered malignant colorectal cancer. County counsel stated both agreements remain subject to final approvals and will be available through CEO risk management once finalized.
Addressing multiple pre‑litigation claims stemming from the Sept. 20, 2024 airport fire, the board unanimously rejected the claimants’ latest demands and delegated limited settlement authority to CEO risk management for some claims. The board accepted a proposal to settle claims associated with the Hoey/James/Sapienza group for a combined $2,400,000 and delegated settlement authority for the McLean claim.
Lastly, in Ace Kelly v. County of Orange (related to a 10/19/2020 probation search), the board unanimously rejected the plaintiff’s demand and directed risk management and outside counsel to proceed to trial; county counsel said the legality of the underlying probation search was not challenged by the plaintiff.
The closed‑session report cited the specific Government Code sections authorizing private discussion of pending litigation and personnel matters and said no other reportable actions were taken. The board will make finalized settlement agreements available through CEO risk management to any person who inquires.
