Holden Legal Costs
In the May 5 editorial, “Enough Already,” you want the City Council to “find a way with the city attorney to bring the matter” of sexual harassment charges I have been accused of “to a close.” I am completely innocent of the allegations and paying for these lies is not the right thing to do.
The city has been sued thousands of times over the years. Hundreds of council members have been sued over the years as council members, and at least four members of council have been sued, like myself, both as individuals and as council members. It’s part of our litigious society and our city is no exception.
You say that the City Council has placed a $150,000 cap on my legal costs. That is a false statement! That $150,000 cap exists for four other members of my staff (three males and one female, all over the age of 60) who have also been accused of sexual harassment. However, there is no cap on legal fees for my defense.
It’s ludicrous for you to suggest that council members pay my legal defense fees out of their office budgets. Even The Times admits that the council is “legally required” to pay the legal costs to defend me and the city.
NATE HOLDEN
Los Angeles City Council
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