Countywide : Board Hires Law Firm Involved in Suing County
Over objections from Supervisor Don R. Roth, the Board of Supervisors has voted to hire the law firm of Rutan & Tucker even though it is involved in 22 lawsuits against the county.
The Costa Mesa firm is to handle a forthcoming bond issue.
Roth asked the county counsel whether such an appointment would represent a conflict of interest. “I don’t think it’s fatal in this case, but this is probably the longest list of lawsuits against the county I’ve ever seen,” County Counsel Adrian Kuyper responded.
Roth said, “My deep concern is about the possible conflict of interest when a firm plays both sides of the issue.”
Board members voted 3 to 1 to hire the firm. Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder was absent.
Supervisor Thomas F. Riley said that it is difficult to exclude firms such as Rutan & Tucker that have special skills.
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