Shasta County agrees to review releasing documents about sheriff’s office management to R-S
Helen Saulnier 
In response to a lawsuit submitted by the Document Searchlight, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday requested its county counsel to review what files it can release to the paper in regards to the management of the sheriff’s business office below former Sheriff Eric Magrini.
The newspaper has produced several requests for files relating to functions and investigations that preceded Magrini’s resignation in June 2021, when he remaining driving a section in turmoil.
Right before Magrini resigned, the county hired him as assistant county government officer and gave him a 31% pay out enhance, regardless of workers in his business issuing a vote of no cofidence in him.
So considerably, the county has resisted releasing practically all documents requested below the California General public Records Act.
But on Tuesday, the board fulfilled in shut session to talk about a lawsuit the paper submitted July 19 in Shasta County Excellent Court docket towards the county, trying to get launch of information similar to the department’s administration underneath Magrini.
Pursuing the closed-doorway session of the board Tuesday, County Counsel Rubin Cruse introduced the supervisors voted 5- to have officials go through the documents the paper requested and figure out what could be unveiled.
“The board has requested counsel to critique the products at situation and decide to the best extent lawfully doable, and dependable with county pursuits, what elements could be publicly disclosed,” Cruse reported, announcing the board’s shut session action.
Assistant County Counsel Jim Ross reported Tuesday afternoon the county could not remark further more on the concern.
Legal professional Walt McNeill, who was hired by the RS to represent the paper in courtroom, stated he assumed the board’s motion was a favourable development.
“It indicates they’ve taken a tricky seem at the lawsuit that we submitted and the (authorized) authorities that we cited. And I imagine if they have given it watchful consideration, they would come to the exact same summary I did in filing the lawsuit, which is that the records we are trying to find belong in the general public domain. And they would be better served by just releasing them than generating a prolonged struggle to hold them mystery.”
Far more: Lawsuit to acquire information about investigation into previous Sheriff Magrini moves forward
Months ahead of Magrini resigned, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association issued a vote of no self confidence in the sheriff in January 2021.
The Sheriff’s Administrative Association, produced up of captains and lieutenants in the office, sent a letter on Feb. 17, 2021, to the Board of Supervisors outlining “fears with leadership, morale and possible unlawful and unethical behaviors” by Magrini and then-Undersheriff Jason Barnhart.
In response, the board hired a lawful business to examine problems from the sheriff. The paper has asked for copies of the investigation and communications amongst the associations and county officials.
The paper has also questioned for files similar to Magrini’s selecting as assistant CEO.
In response to 4 separate documents requests from the Report Searchlight, Cruse argued the products are of a personal nature and are shielded less than California law that maintains confidentiality of peace officer staff information.
He also said that since some of the paperwork are matters of “lawyer-client” privilege, they are exempt from disclosure.
McNeill said that as sheriff, Magrini did not operate for the Board of Supervisors, so promises of staff confidentiality do not implement.
More: Report Searchlight sues Shasta County about records linked to Eric Magrini stepping down as sheriff
For the duration of an appearance prior to Top-quality Court docket Judge Stephen Baker, Ross explained the county supposed to retain the services of a regulation company to stand for the county precisely to defend it in this case.
But choosing a legislation firm was not outlined in Cruse’s announcement Tuesday.
McNeill claimed that if the county supposed to go forward with choosing a legislation company, it is likely nothing would have been declared pursuing the closed session.
Baker has ordered attorneys in the case to return to courtroom Aug. 8 to explore the case.
A lot more: ‘Serious misconduct’: Whistleblower complaint blasting former sheriff, county officers, leaked on the net
Damon Arthur is the Report Searchlight’s sources and environment reporter. He is part of a team of journalists who look into wrongdoing and find the unheard voices to explain to the tales of the North Point out. He welcomes story recommendations at 530-338-8834 by electronic mail at [email protected] and on Twitter at @damonarthur_RS. Assist neighborhood journalism prosper by subscribing currently!
This post initially appeared on Redding Report Searchlight: Shasta County to assessment for release investigation into sheriff’s office environment
