Compton Settles Legal Battles with Former City Attorney Following Resignation
The city of Compton has reached a resolution in its legal disputes with former City Attorney Eric Perrodin, just days after his departure from the position. Notices of settlement were officially filed with Los Angeles Superior Court Judges Randolph Hammock and James Chalfant, bringing an end to the dueling litigation that had emerged between the city and its former top legal counsel. Perrodin officially resigned from his post last Monday. While the terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, the conclusion of these legal actions marks a significant turning point for the city.
The legal entanglements stemmed from a series of disagreements that surfaced in 2024, primarily concerning the adoption of the 2024-25 budget. According to court documents, disputes arose over the budgetary allocation for the City Attorney’s Office and the extent of its operational authority. Perrodin, in his assertions, claimed the legal prerogative to dictate which issues were presented to the City Council for consideration. Furthermore, he alleged a failure by the city to prosecute various offenses, including prostitution, drug sales, street takeovers, building code violations, and other criminal activities.
Conversely, the city’s legal petition contended that from June 2024 through March of the current year, Perrodin allegedly utilized city staff, including two internal legal professionals, to pursue his own “unauthorized legal action” against the City Council and various city officials. The city further maintained, in its legal filing on March 10, that Perrodin had leveraged city resources – such as offices, equipment, supplies, and funds – in connection with his personal lawsuit. This alleged misuse of resources was compounded by the assertion that he dedicated a substantial portion of his official office time to working on this case.
Perrodin initiated his own legal proceedings in June 2024, which underwent several transformations before ultimately being framed as a taxpayer waste action. His lawsuit sought a judgment and an injunction to prevent what he termed “illegal expenditure, waste of, or injury to the estate, funds or other property of the city.”
At the heart of Perrodin’s claims was the assertion that the City Council had overstepped its authority during the adoption of the 2024-25 budget. He argued that the council improperly reallocated staff members from the City Attorney’s Office and, critically, delegated the authority of the city attorney to the city manager. This delegation was particularly contentious, as the city manager, according to Perrodin, was not licensed to practice law, thereby undermining the legal framework of the city government.
Perrodin’s legal filings articulated that this action directly violated the city charter. He argued that it stripped the City Attorney’s Office of the essential independence required to function as a crucial check and balance within the city’s governmental structure, a role he believed was intended by voters.
Eric Perrodin was initially elected to a two-year term as Compton’s City Attorney in March 2024. His tenure, though cut short by resignation and subsequent legal action, highlighted significant internal governance challenges within the city. The resolution of these lawsuits suggests a path forward, though the specifics of the settlement will likely remain private.
The legal battles involved complex interpretations of the city charter and the division of powers between elected officials and administrative staff. Key points of contention included:
- Budgetary Authority: Disputes over how funds were allocated to the City Attorney’s Office and the control over its resources.
- Agenda Setting: Perrodin’s claim to have the sole right to determine what issues were placed before the City Council.
- Enforcement of Laws: Allegations regarding the city’s perceived failure to prosecute certain crimes.
- Use of City Resources: Claims that Perrodin used city staff and resources for his personal legal actions.
- Delegation of Authority: Perrodin’s contention that the City Council improperly delegated legal authority to an unlicensed individual.
The resolution of these matters is expected to allow the city to refocus its energies on governance and public service without the ongoing distraction of litigation. The specifics of the budget and the operational independence of the City Attorney’s Office moving forward will be of keen interest to residents and observers of Compton’s municipal affairs. The settlement underscores the often-fraught relationship between legal counsel and elected bodies, particularly when issues of power, budget, and oversight come into play. The city now faces the task of rebuilding trust and ensuring a clear, lawful, and efficient operational framework for its legal department.