Judge rules no fines for radio interview
SACRAMENTO » Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman announced Chico City Councilor Sean Morgan and the city would face no fines following disclosing confidential settlement information during a radio interview.
Following Morgan’s appearance where he divulged information about the settlement conferences in the Warren v. Chico case, Newman requested an order to show cause as to why the city or Morgan shouldn’t receive a fine.
The Warren v. Chico case, a civil case regarding the city’s anti-camping ordinances without enough shelter beds available, entered settlement negotiations with Newman fol
lowing referral from Judge Morrison C. England at the July 2 hearing.
In documents submitted Friday by the city attorney Vince Ewing, the argument was made Morgan should not receive a fine because he did not intentionally reveal confidential information.
“Mr. Morgan serves on the City of Chico City Council and has represented the people living in the City’s first district since 2012,” the submitted document read. “However, Mr. Morgan is not an attorney and has no formal legal training.”
Ewing also wrote the judge should not expect a repeat of the situation.
“This experience has highlighted for Mr. Morgan exactly how such difficult situations may be handled,” the document continued. “Moving forward, he understands the only acceptable refrain he may offer to anybody about this case while settlement negotiations are underway is, ‘Negotiations are ongoing; progress is being made; please be patient.’”
In a response filed Monday by Newman, the order to show cause was discharged, seemingly agreeing with the city attorney that Morgan did not intend to reveal confidential information.