Azusa : Claim Filed Against City

An Azusa resident has filed a $5-million claim against the city, alleging that a March 6 altercation with a city councilman stemmed from official negligence. Such claims, which are routinely rejected, are the first step toward suing a municipality.

In his claim, Ronald Legault contends that inadequate lighting around the Azusa Civic Auditorium and the absence of a window in a doorway contributed to his unintentionally banging into the mother of Councilman Tony D. Naranjo.

As Legault left the council meeting, he opened the door, striking Naranjo’s mother, Lupe. Legault said the councilman then hit him. Naranjo has said he only pushed Legault. “If a window had been installed and more efficient lighting on the outside of the building was installed, none of this would have happened,” Legault alleges in the complaint.

The incident was investigated by Azusa police and criminal complaints were filed by both sides, but the district attorney declined to prosecute because of the lack of evidence, according to Police Chief Lloyd J. Wood.

Legault, who claims to have suffered mental stress and chest pains as a result of the incident, worked on the unsuccessful recall effort against Naranjo and Councilman Harry L. Stemrich, which failed in April.