YORBA LINDA
Councilman John M. Gullixson has filed a claim against the city, seeking reimbursement of the legal fees he spent defending himself in a lawsuit brought against him by City Manager Arthur C. Simonian.
The claim for damages, filed Monday, asks that the city pay for Gullixson’s legal defense against Simonian, who sued the councilman in December claiming he violated his right to privacy. The lawsuit came after then-Mayor Gullixson gave members of the press and the community copies of the city’s investigative reports on Simonian, who is on paid administrative leave.
A Superior Court judge in March overturned Gullixson’s bid to throw the lawsuit out of court because the documents released contained Simonian’s Social Security number. Gullixson has appealed that decision.
The city is suing Simonian, seeking $300,000 in bonuses the longtime city manager allegedly gave himself without proper authorization.
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