Legal News

Judge adds $2.3M to San Juan Capistrano's woes

By Richard Binder

Orange County Superior Court Judge Gail Andler has awarded $2.3 million in litigation expenses in a development suit against San Juan Capistrano.

The city had initially wanted a $7 million judgment tossed out and a new trial granted, but Andler said the city did not meet its burden of proof for either motion.  She wrote, "Additionally, in its effort to persuade this court to grant the requested relief, the City has mischaracterized the rulings of the court and the evidence presented." With the litigation fees, the total judgment against the city now exceeds $9 million.

"Under the law we were entitled to reasonable fees," said Chuck Krolikowski, lead trial counsel for the Scalzo Family Trust. "The judge came in very close to what we asked for."

San Juan has appealed the judgment to the 4th District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana.

Full story here.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on September 28, 2010 (boomark / email).