Humboldt County supervisors grant auditor-controller’s request for outdoors lawful counsel

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors agreed to appoint outside the house lawful counsel to Auditor-Controller Karen Paz Dominguez on Tuesday but denied her request for representation by former Eureka City lawyer Cyndy Day-Wilson.

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Humboldt County Auditor-Controller Karen Paz Dominguez was absent during the Humboldt County Board of Supervisor’s most up-to-date discussion on no matter whether or not the county should really grant Paz Dominguez outside the house lawful counsel subsequent an inner investigation. (Moments-Conventional file)

Paz Dominguez asked for outside legal counsel from Day-Wilson in response to an interior investigation released by the county regarding delays in payments, transfers and reconciliations of accounts related to her place of work. Throughout its Dec. 8 meeting, supervisors talked about whether or not or not the request for outdoors counsel was a likely threat of litigation and opted to continue the discussion in the course of its subsequent conference on Dec. 15.

Supervisors convened for a 45-moment shut-session listening to on Tuesday early morning and returned for a public dialogue later in the afternoon.

County Counsel Jefferson Billingsley told the board his office experienced determined a prospective conflict of desire in symbolizing Paz Dominguez and recommended the county appoint outdoors counsel.

“I kind of scoured for lawful assistance and there seriously is not any assistance in this sort of condition, this is various from what you would commonly see,” Billingsley said. “I consider it is unquestionably a defensible situation that as an investigator it is similar to the perform of the auditor’s place of work that it could be within the scope of the duties that could let for her to be appointed counsel.”

Clarifying Billingsley’s assertion, 2nd District Supervisor Estelle Fennell reported the county would take the duty to present counsel if “the willpower is in the scope of perform.”

“The upcoming portion of it is who counsel would be, I’m assuming,” Fennell said.

“I believe the concern would be, (are supervisors) inclined to acknowledge Working day-Wilson or would you like my office obtain appropriate counsel for the auditor-controller?” Billingsley requested.

3rd District Supervisor Mike Wilson claimed he would prefer to obtain other counsel.

“I just imagine it would be most appropriate,” Wilson said.

In the course of the conversation, Billingsley famous that it is “difficult to have these discussions when the requestor does not take part,” alluding to the absence of both Paz Dominguez and Day-Wilson.

In advance of Tuesday’s meeting, Paz Dominguez shared an emailed statement with the Situations-Typical explaining her willingness to participate in the investigation.

“I will, of training course, participate entirely in any investigation so that we can identify and accurate any concerns concerning the (Auditor-Controller’s) office environment and the many districts, companies, and departments that provide providers to the inhabitants and taxpayers of Humboldt County,” she wrote. “Because the Office environment of the Auditor-Controller is an impartial company operate by an elected formal, like the workplaces of the Sheriff and the Assessor, state legislation makes it possible for for independent counsel in this sort of matters and I am deciding upon to physical exercise this right.”

Immediately after public remark and some added discussion involving supervisors and county counsel, Billingsley explained he would give “two or a few attorneys” to Paz Dominguez for her consideration.

The board voted 4-1 with 5th District Supervisor Steve Madrone dissenting. Madrone did not present a reason behind his dissent on the vote during the public session.

Isabella Vanderheiden can be reached at 707-441-0504.