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UPDATE: Multiple public defenders’ office employees have confirmed that Marcus has packed up his office, cleaned out his desk and left without addressing employees.

Previously:

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will meet late this afternoon in closed session to discuss the pending lawsuit against controversial Public Defender David Marcus. According to Clerk of the Board Kathy Hayes, the meeting was announced exactly 24 hours in advance via the county's website and posted outside the chambers. No supervisors were available for comment this afternoon.


The first of the two items due to be discussed in the session, which begins at 4:15 p.m., includes a conference with legal counsel regarding a recent performance evaluation and to "hear complaints or charges brought against the employee by another person or employee."

Marcus was the subject of a closed-door performance evaluation by the supervisors on Oct. 10, after several months of turmoil that included a letter sent to the board by nine deputy public defenders alleging his incompetence, a police call to the office after Marcus allegedly verbally assaulted an employee, a lawsuit brought by local attorney Patrik Griego against the county saying Marcus did not meet qualifications for the position and a mass exodus of staff that has resulted in delayed cases.

The second item on the agenda is conference with legal counsel regarding pending litigation, specifically Griego's suit, Marilyn Andrews, et al. v. County of Humboldt, which is slated for trial in December. Griego confirmed to the Journal on Oct. 20 that he had offered a settlement that would "waive any claim he has to the more than $125,000 in attorneys fees and costs he’s accumulated in the case" if the board “simply set aside its appointment” of Marcus. Read more about that here.

Neither Marcus nor Griego could be reached for comment this afternoon.