Settlement Monies Should be Returned as Promised

Petition Demanding the Return of Net Proceeds of lawsuits against CUSD

Whereas: A small number of individuals sued CUSD alleging that they and their families were harmed because they were placed on an enemies list.
Whereas: These civil cases were based upon criminal charges that were later dismissed. Therefore there was no basis for the civil complaints.
Whereas: In September, 2009 the CUSD Board of Trustees voted to approve out of court settlements to resolve these civil cases resulting in over $655,000 being paid to these individuals, families and their attorneys.
Whereas: The recipients of these settlements were all financial contributors or supporters of the CUSD Board of Trustees. The CUSD Trustees inappropriately voted to approve these payments to their financial donors and supporters.
Whereas: At least $100,000 was paid by CUSD out of the general fund to cover the deductible for these payments.
Whereas: When the individuals filed these lawsuits they pledged to contribute back to the school district the net proceeds received from the school district. We intend to return to CUSD all of the net litigation proceeds.
Whereas: Despite this promise the net proceeds have not been paid back to CUSD.
Therefore be it resolved: That the CUSD Board of Trustees should immediately demand that the net proceeds from these settlements be contributed back to the school district as the recipients promised.
Be it further resolved: That the recipients of these settlements fulfill their promises to the students and parents of CUSD and return this money.

Be it further resolved: That the CUSD Board of Trustees pledges to never again vote to approve out of court settlements that result in monies being paid to any individual, family or organization that financially contributed to any of their campaigns for office.

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/news/district-212910-capistrano-families.html

Source: The CUSD Recall Committee pledged to contribute back to the school district the net proceeds received from the school district. Russell stated, We intend to return to CUSD all of the net litigation proceeds received from the school district. http://cusdrecall.com/page26/files/category-enemies-list-claims.html