Judge dismisses suit by Orange schools trustee
A lawsuit filed by an Orange Unified School District trustee accusing fellow board members of violating his rights by voting to censure him for disparaging a school principal during a board meeting was dismissed Thursday by an Orange County Superior Court judge.
Judge Clay M. Smith wrote that just as Steve Rocco -- who filed the suit -- has a right to state his opinion, fellow trustees have a right to register their displeasure at his comments.
Rocco, an eccentric, conspiracy-minded Santa Ana resident, has created controversy since his 2004 election to the board, which oversees a $230-million annual budget and more than 31,000 students.
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