Results of the Audit Are Due Next Month.
As reported by Jeff Overley in his article “Newport to examine its rising legal costs” in the May 30, 2010 edition of The Orange County Register, the City of Newport Beach has decided to audit its litigation costs and fees.
In the past decade, annual litigation expenses billed to the City Attorney’s Office have increased to nearly $3 million in 2010 from a low of roughly $500,000 a decade ago. (This amount does not include the costs of handling pre-litigation claims, the precursors to many lawsuits.) Results of the audit are due next month. However, at least one council member—Leslie Daigle—believes that the legal increases are unsustainable. “If these increases in legal costs continue,” council member Daigle is quoted as saying, “we’re really going to blow out the budget.”
Men fishing off of the Newport Beach pier, late 1800s.