Ex-Register Manager Settles Wrongful-Termination Suit

A former circulation manager at the Orange County Register has agreed to an out-of-court settlement of a wrongful-termination lawsuit he filed in March, his attorney and the newspaper said Wednesday.

Patrick Elster, who was dismissed in September on charges of mismanagement and violation of company policy, had asked for an undisclosed sum and punitive damages.

Elster alleged that the Register fired him to avoid a costly lawsuit by a group of independent newspaper distributors. Elster, who was vice president of circulation at the time, had laid off the 18 last year when the newspaper began handling its own distribution.

The dealers threatened to file a multimillion-dollar suit against the Register, Elster alleged, thus setting the stage for his termination.

About two weeks after Elster filed his March 20 claim against the Santa Ana-based newspaper, the Register filed a countersuit, charging him with misappropriating $24,000 in unauthorized air fares, hotel bills and cash advances.

While not admitting guilt, Elster settled out of court on both lawsuits, said Donald Hufstader, his Santa Ana attorney. Under a confidentiality agreement, details of the settlements were not disclosed.

Register spokeswoman Peggy Castellano said Elster, using a certified check, paid an undisclosed sum to settle the countersuit, while the Register did not pay any cash to settle the initial suit.

“Mr. Elster paid us,” Castellano said. “I know. I baby-sat that check.”

Hufstader disputed that contention, saying that no money changed hands.

Elster could not be reached for comment.