The city will pay the pension system's former attorney nearly $75,000 to settle a lawsuit that San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre filed against her.
Aguirre accused Loraine Chapin of violating a state law barring public officials from benefiting from their positions. Aguirre also sought to set aside a 1998 deal allowing the pension system to have its own attorney. He wanted to oversee the fund's legal affairs.
The council voted unanimously in July to end the Chapin case. Yesterday's action completes the decision and will allow payment to be made in about two weeks. The total paid to Chapin will cover most of her legal expenses from the lawsuit.
Chapin and four other face federal charges of conspiracy and wire fraud in a case related to employee pension increases granted while the city underfunded the retirement system. A trial is set for next year.
The pension fund has a deficit of at least $1.43 billion.
– Jennifer Vigil
Public defender
joins state council
San Diego County Deputy Public Defender Ray Aragon has been appointed to the California Judicial Council by the board of governors of the State Bar Association.
The 14-member council sets policy for the state court system.
Aragon has previously served as vice president of the board of governors, and is a former member of the San Diego County Bar Association board of directors and past president of San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association. He has practiced civil and criminal law for 26 years.
– Ray Huard
