Laguna Niguel : Ex-Court Clerk Files $200-Million Lawsuit
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A former court official filed a lawsuit Monday claiming more than $200 million in damages, alleging he was fired illegally by two south county judges last year.
James B. Harris, former clerk and administrative officer of South Orange County Municipal Court in Laguna Niguel, claimed that he was fired in “retaliation” for refusing to obey Presiding Judge Pamela L. Iles’ order that he hire a particular applicant as a secretary.
Neither Iles nor Harris could be reached for comment.
In the suit, Harris claimed that he was protected under the county’s merit system from termination without notice and reasonable cause. Harris left his post Aug. 15.
Harris claimed that Iles and Judge Richard D. Hamilton acted maliciously in voting to seek his resignation or early retirement last June. Iles, Hamilton, two other county employees, the county and the court were named as defendants. Harris’ termination wrongly deprived him of his property rights in the job and constitutional rights to free expression in opposing Iles’ choice for secretary, the suit alleges.
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