MADERA COUNTY – A lawsuit filed by a former deputy district attorney against the County of Madera and the District Attorney’s Office has been settled, announced Madera County District Attorney Michael R. Keitz on Friday, Oct. 26.
The lawsuit alleged that the employee had been the subject of retaliation for supporting the political campaign of a rival for the District Attorney’s position in the 2010 election.The Madera County Board of Supervisors and their legal representatives made a business decision to end expensive, distracting and time-consuming litigation, so that the District Attorney could focus prosecution resources on essential law enforcement priorities, said Keitz.
“The expense of ongoing litigation is a primary concern in these difficult budgetary times for the County,” said Keitz.
All of the parties acknowledged that the settlement does not represent an admission of liability for any of the employee’s claims, which the County and Keitz have denied, and continue to deny.
The terms of the settlement agreement require that the employee leave his employment with the County of Madera, and agree not to seek re-employment with the county in the future, according the a news release from the D.A.’s office.
“Personnel matters are confidential. Accordingly, I am prohibited from giving any further information about the issue,” said Keitz. “Unfortunately, these types of lawsuits are all too common. Very similar lawsuits have also been filed against newly elected District Attorneys in at least two other California counties. Many law enforcement agencies, from police to sheriff to District Attorney, have been the target of lawsuits in the California legal climate.”
