Facts

Karen Paz Dominguez was Humboldt County's auditor-controller. In May 2, 2022, the People of the State of California and California State Controller Betty Yee filed a complaint against Paz Dominguez in both her personal and official capacities. They also sued Humboldt County.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs contended that defendants failed to timely file copies of the County's adopted budgets by December 1st for the years of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, a violation of Government Code Section 29093. They also alleged that she failed to timely file her Financial Transactions Reports for the fiscal years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, a violation of Government Code Section 53891.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants admitted the allegations in the complaint and further admitted that plaintiffs were entitled to the requested relief.

Result

The parties reached a settlement that includes milestones for filing the County's overdue and currently due budgets, while also providing updates to show the County's progress, and the County paying $12,000 to satisfy the forfeitures.

Other Information

Among other provisions, the June 30, 2022 separation agreement between Paz Dominguez and the County confirmed her resignation effective July 1, 2022, detailed the payment of the balance of her salary and payment by the County of Paz Dominguez's attorney fees for the State's case against them. The County also agreed to dismiss its cross-complaint against her and that it would defend and indemnify her in the case.