Free Republic

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner’s chief of staff has been quizzing employees in the mayor’s office about sexual harassment allegations against Filner and has been warned to stop in a memo from the City Attorney's Office. The memo from Assistant City Attorney Paul Cooper, dated today, refers to a recent unanimous closed session vote of the City Council demanding that Chief of Staff Lee Burdick hand over certain documents under the California Public Records Act, which she has been withholding by citing attorney-client privilege. City Attorney Jan Goldsmith says his office alone serves as counsel to the city, and that...

What started as a battle over fireworks shows led to a sweeping legal victory Friday for environmentalists that could stymie a wide range of events needing city permits, from the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon to birthday parties held at parks. “According to the strictest interpretation of this, jumpy-jumps and everything else would be subject to environmental review if this ruling stands,” said lawyer Robert Howard, who represented the La Jolla Community Fireworks Foundation in the case. “It’s a breathtaking ruling.” Superior Court Judge Linda Quinn said La Jolla’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show requires evaluation under the California Environmental...