BB&K In The News

Criminal Charges Brought in Wake of Victorious Lawsuit Against City by WRCOG, Represented by BB&K

Best Best & Krieger LLP attorneys Jeffrey Dunn and Thomas Eastmond won a $57 million trial award on behalf of the Western Riverside Council of Governments in a transportation fee dispute with the City of Beaumont. The court found that, had the case been one for fraud, it would have found fraud by clear and convincing evidence because “[t]he evidence and testimony reveals that city management and staff engaged in a pattern and practice of deception that transcends the typical give-and-take of dispute negotiation.”  The case was years in the making with a painstaking gathering of evidence on the City’s convoluted finances.  The court judgment opened the way to further investigation by local, state and federal officials. Partner Steven DeBaun, who serves as WRCOG general counsel, assisted with the case. (Read more about the case here.)

On May 17, the Riverside County District Attorney’s office announced that seven top city officials were charged for misappropriating those funds. The charges come nearly two years after BB&K provided  evidence that showed Beaumont failed to comply with its Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee Program obligations. The TUMF was administered by WRCOG.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise interviewed Jeff in connection to the charges.