County doubles its contract with former Enron prosecutor
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday doubled the county's contract with attorney John C. Hueston so he can take the lead in a lawsuit against former Assessor Bill Postmus.
The board unanimously agreed to increase the county's contract with Hueston's firm, Irell & Manella LLP, from $250,000 to $500,000.
The county's attorneys will serve as co-counsel on the case and work alongside Hueston.
Postmus, four of his former executive staff members and a political consultant he helped secure work for through a controversial purchase order are being sued by the county, which is trying to recoup hundreds of thousands of dollars it is claiming Postmus and his former staff bilked from taxpayers through alleged timecard fraud.
The suit alleges fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, improper expenditure of public funds, unjust enrichment and civil conspiracy.
In an e-mail, Postmus said the lawsuit "remains a politically-motivated attempt to silence the board of supervisors' political opponents - a board that has become ensnared in a myriad of alleged wrongdoings."
"I look forward to the discovery phase of this litigation related to this ridiculous action brought against me and my former staff," he said. "The truth will be exposed as it relates to the actions of the county board of supervisors."
The county retained Hueston in January as special counsel regarding administrative actions and civil actions in connection with the investigation and possible removal of Postmus from his elected office.
The county's contract with Hueston is being funded from general fund contingencies.
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