Herbert Molano has been victimized by the city government of Glendale. I do not know Molano, have never spoken to him nor read the pleadings in his case. But I have more than 40 years of experience in litigation, including environmental litigation. There is no valid reason for the city to have spent $677,000, or whatever the sum is, fighting Molano’s suit. The city used a tank to crush a butterfly, and a butterfly acting in good faith (“City wants legal expenses repaid,” June 18).
The lawsuit probably could have been defended in-house rather than using outside counsel. I don’t know why the city spent so much money on this because the city attorney does not ask my advice before he makes decisions.
There are at least three reasons that could explain why the city may have spent so much money on the case, although I don’t know if the reasons are true.
The city may have had a sweetheart deal with some outside law firm or the city may have wanted a quasi-legal way to “SLAPP” (strategic lawsuit against public participation) Molano down for having the impudence to question a city’s decision. Or the city may have wanted a quasi-legal way of making Molano appear to be an idiot.
Whatever the reason for the city to spend so much money on Molano’s lawsuit, the amount of money the city spent was not his fault.
We will, of course, never know the real reason for the city’s legal expenses. The city attorney will likely never explain why his office spent so much and the City Council probably won’t demand an accounting.
Accountability is not well regarded by Glendale’s government.
Molano will remain a victim of this city’s lack of accountability.
STANTON J. PRICE
Glendale
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