The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted in closed session this afternoon to appoint Marek Reavis, currently serving as interim public defender, to that office’s top job. Reavis’ appointment caps a tumultuous year for the department, which saw public outcry and mass resignations over the board’s previous appointment, David Marcus, whom many considered unqualified. After […]
David Marcus
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Board of Supervisors Prepares for Auditor Controller Do-Over, Public Defender Appointment
UPDATE: On April 24 the board voted unanimously to appoint Dillingham to the postion. Previously: The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will consider Tuesday appointing Cheryl Dillingham as interim auditor-controller. Again. The board voted unanimously at its April 3 meeting to appoint Dillingham to the post. But the item on the board’s agenda that day […]
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ACLU to Honor Public Defender’s Office with ‘Perseverance’ Award
The local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is having its annual meeting tonight at Arcata’s D Street Neighborhood Center, during which it will present its annual Patriot Award to the Humboldt County Public Defender’s Office “in recognition of the difficult year” it just finished. “The county almost destroyed the public defender’s office last […]
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Supes to Consider Public Defender’s $25K Severance Agreement
When the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors convenes tomorrow, it will discuss whether to approve a severance agreement for former Public Defender David Marcus that has already been executed and can’t legally be ratified. The severance agreement, which followed Marcus’ Nov. 22 resignation after nine embattled months on the job and pays him about $25,000, […]
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Public Defender Reportedly Got $25K in Severance Pay
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors reportedly agreed to give embattled former Public Defender David Marcus two-months severance pay when he resigned his position, according to Marcus’ letter of resignation. That would equate to about $25,000 given Marcus’ $150,000 annual salary. It’s unclear when the board reached this agreement or how it was finalized. With […]
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Griego to Dismiss Public Defender Suit
Local attorney Patrik Griego announced this morning that he will be dismissing the lawsuit he brought challenging David Marcus’ appointment as Humboldt County public defender in light of Marcus’ resignation. In the short release (copied below), Griego notes that his lawsuit was challenging whether Marcus met minimum state qualifications for the job when the Humboldt […]
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David Marcus’ Resignation Ends Tumultuous Tenure
Supervisor Virginia Bass confirmed that David Marcus has stepped down from the county’s public defender post after a tumultuous nine months in office. “He sent a letter on Wednesday evening informing us of his resignation,” Bass said Friday. Marcus’ sudden departure came after the Board of Supervisors held a special closed session meeting — called […]
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As Supes Prepare for Thanksgiving Eve Meeting, Marcus Packs Up His Desk
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 […]
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Uncertainty Surrounds Monday’s Public Defender Hearing
The lawsuit challenging embattled Humboldt County Public Defender David Marcus’ hiring is bound for a hearing Monday but it’s hard to say what to expect. It could be the decisive moment in the 9-month-old lawsuit, an evidentiary hearing on the merits that ultimately answers whether Marcus meets minimum state qualifications for the post. Or the […]
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Hearing Set in Public Defender Case Amid Settlement Offer, Allegations of Delay Tactics
The Humboldt County Superior Court has set a hearing next month to determine whether embattled Public Defender David Marcus meets the minimum state qualifications to hold his job. But Patrik Griego, the attorney who brought the lawsuit challenging Marcus’ hire, is worried the county is engaging in a pattern of “gamesmanship” intended to delay the […]
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UPDATED: No Report Out of Closed Door Evaluation of Public Defender
UPDATE: The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors announced no final actions when reconvening out of closed session today. PREVIOUSLY (Oct. 8): The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will meet in closed session Tuesday to review the job performance of embattled Public Defender David Marcus. The closed-session review comes eight months into Marcus’ tenure and about […]
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Judge Allows Public Defender Lawsuit to Proceed Amid Attorney Exodus
A visiting Humboldt County Superior Court judge ruled this morning that a case challenging the hiring of controversial Public Defender David Marcus can continue, finding sufficient facts have been alleged to hold a hearing to determine whether he meets minimum state qualifications for the post. The county of Humboldt had asked Judge Marjorie Carter to […]