Facts

The Humboldt Coalition for Property Rights (Coalition) requested public records from Humboldt County (County) regarding billing for outside attorneys in various land use lawsuits. After initially denying the request, the County released the records after a court ruling on a similar issue. The records contained redactions regarding specific activities, but included the total spent as well as work dates and billing rates of the attorneys.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The Coalition filed suit against the County, alleging violations of the California Public Records Act. It contended that the County redacted too much information.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
The County contended that the record request was complete, and the redactions were appropriate under attorney-client privilege.

Result

The parties reached a settlement for $100,000, whereby the County is also enjoined from denying or delaying public record requests in the future.