DATE: January 29, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: Request to Defend Public Officers or Employees
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize Chairman to execute Agreement to Defend Public Officer(s) or Employee(s) for the employee(s) listed below:
Name of Officer(s)/
Employee(s) Position Title of Action
Jared Mullis Deputy Sheriff III Jami Lucas, et al
Sheriff’s Department v
County of Fresno, et al.
REPORT
Description:
Claimants allege the wrongful death of Rod Lucas by another Deputy, Jared Mullis, which is the proximate cause of the claimant’s injuries/damages. They are alleging deliberate indifference of Mr. Mullis, along with the Sheriff’s Departments failure to train.
Fresno County Claim No.: 9968
Eastern District Court Case No. 1:18-CV-01488-DAD-EPG
Claimant: Jami Lucas
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
No alternative action is available as Article 4 (commencing with section 825), Chapter 1, Part 2, Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code requires the County indemnify its public employees.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds to finance the cost of defense are contained in the Risk Management Internal Services Fund. Defense costs are supported by annual budgetary contributions based on actuarial projections.
DISCUSSION:
The California Government Code requires the County to defend its officer(s) and/or employees(s) who are sued because of their actions while in the course and scope of employment. The County may require officer(s) and/or employee(s) to agree that the County’s rights under the law are protected.
In the above-mentioned action, the officer(s) and/or employee(s) who have been named in the suit have requested the County to provide legal defense. The necessary agreement to protect the County’s rights has been signed by said officer(s) and/or employee(s) and is on file with the Clerk of the Board.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement to Defend Public Officer(s) or Employee(s) for Jared Mullis with Exhibit “A” Article 4. Indemnification of Public Employees
CAO ANALYST:
Debbie Paolinelli