A lawsuit filed by Kaua‘i’s former police chief has been expanded this month to include the county’s director of finance. The move means the County Attorney will ask the council for up to $200,000 more tonight to cover costs to
A lawsuit filed by Kaua‘i’s former police chief has been expanded this month to include the county’s director of finance. The move means the County Attorney will ask the council for up to $200,000 more tonight to cover costs to outsource legal advice.
K.C. Lum already filed a lawsuit against Mayor Bryan Baptiste, Police Commissioner Leon Gonsalves and the County Council, but has now added Michael Tresler, the man advised by the Ethics Board that Lum’s contract was voidable.
The County Attorney’s Office also is asking for up to $200,000 from county coffers tonight to cover legal costs in the defense of a police officer accused of planting methamphetamine in a resident’s home.
As of July 1, the most recent numbers available at press time, there were 81 cases pending against the county, spokeswoman Mary Daubert said.
The last time the County Attorney asked for money for outside counsel was on Nov. 1, for up to $250,000 to cover legal costs when Bruce Fehring, who lost seven family members and friends in the Ka Loko Dam breach, sued the county.
Lum’s suit surrounds what he claims was a violation of his federal civil rights and the Whistleblower Protection Act, he has said. Lum claims his contract as police chief was going to be terminated after he initiated two investigations into police officers Steve Sueoka and Clayton Arinaga, now the acting police chief.
Lum retired as a result of being told by Tresler’s attorney that his contract was going to be canceled, he states in court documents. Tresler declined to comment.
Lum seeks a jury trial, along with compensatory and punitive damages of $200,000 against Gonsalves, and $1 million against the mayor, the council and the county, including Tresler.
Gonsalves also declined to comment on the case.
