City Accused of Violating Open Meetings Law
Complaints charging the city of Newport Beach with violating the state’s open meetings law have been filed with the Orange County district attorney’s office.
The allegations center on two closed-door votes by the Newport Beach City Council in recent months authorizing the hiring of lobbyists. The lobbyists were approved as subcontractors to law firms working on the city’s goal of extending flight and noise restrictions at John Wayne Airport.
The public wasn’t notified of the votes or told of the hires. Former Irvine Co. executive Gary H. Hunt and William D. Lowery of Washington, D.C., are being paid $455,000.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
