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Orange County supervisors authorize limited settlement authority in 2022 deputy-involved death, approve two workers' comp settlements
Summary
The Orange County Board of Supervisors reported closed-session actions that included granting outside counsel limited settlement authority in a 2022 deputy-involved fatality and approving two proposed workers' compensation settlements totaling $822,692.50; both approvals remain subject to finalization, the county counsel said.
At its meeting, the Orange County Board of Supervisors returned from closed session and announced several legal and settlement actions.
Counsel said, “the board met in closed session to discuss the items referenced on today's agenda as SCS 1, SCS 2, SCS 3, SCS 4, and SCS 5,” and then summarized the outcomes. Counsel reported that on SCS 3 the board voted to give instruction and limited settlement authority to outside counsel Lindbergh Watkins in a case arising from a 2022 deputy-involved fatality. Vice Chair Chaffee, Supervisor Stowe and Supervisor Foley voted yes; Chairman Wagner voted no; Supervisor Sarmiento did not participate and was recused because of a family relationship with the lead attorney for the plaintiff's firm.
Counsel described the underlying matter as involving the 2022 death of a 23-year-old who, after a several-hour standoff, charged Orange County sheriff's deputies while brandishing a knife, leading to the fatal use of force by department personnel.
The board also unanimously approved two proposed workers' compensation settlements in closed session, counsel said. The first was a proposed $172,692.50 settlement in Kenneth Shiffner v. County of Orange; counsel identified Shiffner as a retired district attorney investigator who claimed cumulative trauma to his heart. The second was a proposed $650,000 settlement in Frank Villasenor v. County of Orange; counsel said Villasenor was a maintenance worker for OC Community Resources who suffered neck, arm and shoulder injuries when a tree he was cutting fell on him. Counsel stated both settlements remain subject to final approval when paperwork is finalized.
Counsel added that finalized copies of the settlement agreements will be made available through the office of CEO risk management to any person who inquires. The Chair closed the meeting and said the board will reconvene June 11 for the budget hearing.
