An administrative law judge has recommended that the California Bureau of Alcoholic Beverage Control revoke the liquor licenses for two longtime Arcata bars, Sidelines and Toby & Jack’s. Judge Alberto Roldan’s recommendation, handed off to ABC this morning, comes after a four-day hearing held in late September surrounding allegations of widespread narcotic sales at the […]
Patrik Griego
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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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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 […]
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‘Nothing in Writing’
Local attorney Patrik Griego refiled his lawsuit last week, alleging that Humboldt County Public Defender David Marcus fails to meet minimum state qualifications for his post. And this time, Griego is using Marcus’ own words against him in arguing that he is unqualified to represent the county’s indigent defendants as the chief public defender. Last […]
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Judge Gives Attorney 30 Days to Refile Public Defender Lawsuit
A judge today dismissed a lawsuit alleging the county’s public defender did not meet minimum qualifications required for the post, but gave local attorney Patrik Griego 30 days to refile, saying he should have more information about his contention after questioning David Marcus under oath during an upcoming deposition. The lawsuit seeking to block Marcus’ […]
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Deputy Public Defenders Tell Supes New Boss is ‘Unqualified’
In an unprecedented move, all nine Humboldt County deputy public defenders sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors on Friday urging it to reconsider the recent hiring of their boss, Public Defender David Marcus. “We, the undersigned, write this letter to express our belief that David Marcus is not qualified for the position of […]
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Alleging Public Defender is Already Failing Clients, Attorney Asks to Fast Track Lawsuit
Eureka attorney Patrik Griego is asking a judge to expedite the process of determining whether newly hired Humboldt County Public Defender David Marcus meets minimum state qualifications to hold the post. Griego, who filed a lawsuit earlier this month challenging the county’s controversial hiring of Marcus, is asking a Humboldt County Superior Court judge to […]