Update / Follow-up on the news : City Hires Outside Counsel for Lawsuit
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City officials have decided to hire outside legal counsel to handle a lawsuit filed against Huntington Beach and its Police Department by the owner of Mazzotti’s Italian restaurant.
Susie Newman, a former city planning commissioner and City Council candidate, filed the lawsuit Jan. 25, alleging that a conspiracy by the city and Police Department drove her downtown restaurant out of business. The 47-page complaint seeks $12 million in damages.
According to a city staff report, the situation is complicated by the fact that Newman’s son, Adam Newman, is a deputy city attorney. The report recommended hiring an outside law firm to represent the city in the case.
Law firm Kinkle, Rodiger & Spriggs of Santa Ana agreed to handle the defense of the city and employees named in the lawsuit. In a letter to the city attorney, the firm projects the cost of defending the case at $40,000 to $45,000.
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