Appellate Judges Refuse to Review Suit Against Antonovich

A state appeals court has refused to reconsider a civil suit involving Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, disappointing the plaintiff and a retired judge who say they will take the matter to the California Supreme Court.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal recently handed a victory to Antonovich, voiding a $1.3-million jury award to a Glendale businessman who claimed the supervisor inappropriately intervened in a lawsuit. Antonovich telephoned a Superior Court judge on behalf of the businessman’s adversaries, who had recently contributed to the supervisor’s reelection campaign.

But even though the appeals court reversed the jury’s verdict, it strongly chastised Antonovich for his “reprehensible” and “unacceptable behavior.” The court said its ruling “should not be seen as an exoneration of the county defendants.”

Those comments encouraged plaintiff Avedis Kasparian to make an unusually strong plea for the panel of three judges to reconsider its decision. Early Monday, in a summary judgment without explanation, the appeals court refused.

Attorney Bruce Altschuld, who represents Kasparian in his case against Antonovich, Los Angeles County and two former business partners of Kasparian, said he would petition the state Supreme Court for review.