H.B. candidate names police chief, ex-mayor and hospital in small-claims case over wife’s death
A candidate for Huntington Beach city clerk is suing the city’s police chief, a former mayor and Huntington Beach Hospital, alleging that the three are connected to the death of his wife while she was in the hospital’s care.
In his small-claims case filed Aug. 15 in Orange County Superior Court, Kevin Donovan, on behalf of his wife’s estate, is seeking $7,500 in damages against Police Chief Robert Handy, former Mayor Cathy Green and the nonprofit hospital.
Donovan, 50, is alleging obstruction of justice against Handy, though Donovan doesn’t specify his reasoning for doing so.
Handy is a member of the hospital’s board.
In an interview Monday, Handy said he was told by Donovan that his wife, Yuliya Donovan, did not receive proper care at the hospital.
“I feel badly for him and his family,” he said. “I realize that has to be a very difficult circumstance. Based on the information we know, we don’t believe this is something the Police Department should be involved in.”
Huntington Beach Hospital spokeswoman Gayle Griffithe said in a statement that the hospital couldn’t comment on the state of Donovan’s case, but noted that he has previously filed three lawsuits under “the same set of circumstances against Huntington Beach Hospital and various individuals. All prior cases have been dismissed by the court. We expect similar results with the current case.”
Green, who served as mayor in 2003 and 2009, also sits on the hospital’s board and is president of the Orange County Water District. She said Monday that she was unaware of the case and unable to speak about it.
Donovan is the sole candidate running against appointed City Clerk Robin Estanislau in the Nov. 8 election. His claim is scheduled to be heard at the Central Justice Center on Nov. 9.
Other than what’s stated in his court filings, Donovan declined to discuss additional details about his case — including Green’s alleged involvement and what happened to his wife — without the presence of an attorney.
Twitter: @BrittanyWoolsey
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