School Lawyers Under Increasing Scrutiny
By Eduardo Rueda, Investigative Reporter
A San Diego-based law firm known for representing public entities has come under increased scrutiny for its legal work in various local school districts.
The law firm of Stutz, Artiano, Shinoff & Holtz has represented most of San Diego’s 42 school districts over the past 15 years. Its most visible lawyer, Daniel Shinoff, has played a role in many high profile school district cases throughout the county.
Earlier this year, the firm was sued for malpractice by the San Ysidro School District for allegedly failing to inform that school board of potential settlement offers during a case and for breach of its fiduciary duty to the district. The law firm settled the case for $2 million at the first mediation between the parties, before any depositions were taken or binding arbitration sessions started. The District received a net payout of over $1.8 million after paying outside legal fees. The District
By Mario A. Cortez
Teachers in the San Ysidro School District are calling for the resignation of San Diego County Board of Education (SDCOE) Superintendent Randy Ward and Assistant Superintendent Lora Duzyk, and asking for them to repay teachers’ lost wages.
This Wednesday, a group of San Ysidro teachers gathered at the San Diego County Office of Education to send a message to SDCOE’s board members that Randy Ward and Lora Duzyk have engaged in fraudulent activity at their expense. Teachers held signs demanding money back from the SDCOE.
Grievances from San Ysidro teachers stem from occurrences dating back to 2013, when negotiations for a teacher’s raise were being worked out. At the time, the San Ysidro district was under the fiscal control of the SDCOE, and Ms. Duzyk had complete oversight of their budget.
All school districts in San Diego County will close all schools beginning on Monday in a precaution as the spread of the coronavirus continues and now includes five presumptive cases in San Diego.
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By Eduardo Rueda, Investigative Reporter
The Sweetwater Union High School District has settled a lawsuit and agreed to turn over documents requested more than 2 years ago.
The lawsuit, filed by Chula Vista taxpayer Kevin O’Neill back in 2013, claimed the District and its lawyers refused to disclose invoices, reports, and other documents related to a company called ESI International. The company, headed by former FBI agent Robert Price, was paid by the District to conduct investigative services, including background checks.
Critics of the District have claimed ESI International had been used to investigate and dig up dirt on anyone that voiced concerns or criticisms of the District or its board. Between 2012 and 2014, the District approved $215,000 in payments to ESI International.