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Orange County Board reports unanimous approvals of closed-session settlements totaling millions
Summary
The Orange County Board reported unanimous approvals in closed session of multiple settlements, including $22,652,378 for households affected by the October 2024 airport fire, a $2.75 million Nicholson settlement, a $180,000 deputy workerscompensation payout, and a $100,000 settlement in Abusheide v. County of Orange.
The Orange County Board reported that it unanimously approved several closed-session settlements, the largest resolving pre-litigation claims from the October 2024 airport fire for $22,652,378.
The Chair said the Board also approved a $2,750,000 settlement for claims brought by Robert Nicholson, Saundra T. Zagati Nicholson, Damon R. Nicholson and the Nicholson Living Trust (dated 07/09/2001), a $180,000 workers' compensation settlement for Luis Barreto Reyes related to alleged industrial injuries including hearing loss and hypertension, and a $100,000 offer accepted by plaintiff Abusheide in Abusheide v. County of Orange. "Madam Clerk, the Board took no other reportable action in closed session today," the Chair said.
Why it matters: The airport-fire settlements cover losses and damages asserted by multiple households after an October 2024 fire at an airport facility; the largest package totals $22,652,378. The Nicholson family settlement and the workers' compensation payout resolve separate pre-litigation or workers' compensation claims. The Abusheide matter, described to the Board as an alleged defamation claim involving a former senior assistant district attorney, was reported as having been resolved by the plaintiff's acceptance of the countys $100,000 offer.
Details of approvals and next steps: According to the Chair, each settlement was approved unanimously but remains subject to any required final approvals. When finalized, copies of the settlement agreements will be made available to members of the public through the Office of CEO Risk Management or the Office of Risk Management and through County Counsel as appropriate.
Votes at a glance: The Chair reported unanimous approval for all items announced in the closed-session report. Specific mover/second details and individual roll-call tallies were not provided in the report-back.
What was said on the record: The Chair read the statutory basis for the closed session, referencing Government Code sections 54957 (subdivision (b)), 54957.6 and 54956.9, and read the list of agenda items discussed in closed session (CS1 through CS8). The Chair read claimant names grouped by household for the airport-fire settlements and noted that Abusheides claim alleged defamation by former senior assistant district attorney Gary Legalbo.
The Boards report-back concluded with the Chair stating that no other reportable action was taken in closed session.
