County of Fresno - File #: 23-1263

• File #: 23-1263
• On agenda: 12/12/2023
• Final action: 12/12/2023
• Enactment #: Agreement No. 23-661, Agreement No. 23-662, Agreement No. 23-663, Agreement No. 23-664, Agreement No. 23-665, Agreement No. 23-666
• Recommended Action(s): Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute six Agreements to Defend Public Officers or Employees for the employees listed below: Name of Employee Current Position Title of Action Lakeisha Akins Social Worker, Veronica Hernandez, et al. Department of Social Services v Marshunda Harding Social Work Supervisor County of Fresno, et al. Department of Social Services Annette Jones Unlicensed Mental Health Clinician Department of Behavioral Health Sergio Klassen Defense Investigator Public Defender Christina Lara Social Work Practitioner Department of Social Services Eva Torres Social Worker Department of Social Services

Date	Action By	Action	Result
12/12/2023	Board of Supervisors	Consent Agenda be approved	Pass

DATE: December 12, 2023

TO: Board of Supervisors

SUBMITTED BY: Hollis Magill, Director of Human Resources

SUBJECT: Request to Defend Public Officers or Employees in Litigation

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute six Agreements to Defend Public Officers or Employees for the employees listed below:

Name of
Employee Current Position Title of Action

Lakeisha Akins Social Worker, Veronica Hernandez, et al.
Department of Social Services v
Marshunda Harding Social Work Supervisor County of Fresno, et al.
Department of Social Services
Annette Jones Unlicensed Mental Health Clinician
Department of Behavioral Health
Sergio Klassen Defense Investigator
Public Defender
Christina Lara Social Work Practitioner
Department of Social Services
Eva Torres Social Worker
Department of Social Services
REPORT
Description:

The plaintiffs allege that negligent supervision, failure to perform mandatory duties, and deprivation of fourteenth amendment rights by employees of the Department of Social Services were the proximate cause of the plaintiffs' injuries. All employees were employed with the Department of Social Services at the times relevant to the allegations in the lawsuit but some have since moved to other positions.

Fresno County Claim No.: 10675
Eastern District Court.: 1:22-CV-01145-ADA-EPG
Plaintiff: Veronica Hernandez, et al.

ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):

No alternative action is available because Article 4 (commencing with section 825), Chapter 1, Part 2, Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code requires the County to indemnify its public employees who timely request such defense.




FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Funds to finance the cost of defense are contained in the Department's Org 8925, Risk Management Internal Services Fund. Defense costs are supported by annual budg...