Irvine City Manager Subject of Lawsuit – Trial Set for 11/22/19

Irvine City Manager, John Russo, is a co-defendant in a lawsuit against the City of Riverside. Mr. Russo is named because he is the former Riverside City Manager and an interested party in the lawsuit. His employment contracts and the circumstances surrounding his termination are issues in the litigation.

Causes of action in the upcoming trial include Unlawful Gift of Public Funds and Violation of the City Charter, Municipal Code, and California Constitution. The trial is scheduled to begin November 22, 2019, in Riverside Superior Court.

The issues about to come up at trial are outlined in these three briefs:

  • Plaintiff’s Opening Trial Brief – Riverside resident Ben Clymer Jr. is the plaintiff and this is his argument explaining why the amended Riverside City Manager’s contract (John Russo) and City provided mortgage is illegal and what he seeks for relief.
CLYMER VS THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, RIC1806669, No. 0521309037 (California State, Riverside County, Superior Court Sep. 3, 2019)

 

  • Co-Defendant John Russo’s Trial Brief – Mr. Russo’s explanation of facts and law as to why there is no basis to invalidate his contract, as well as other points.
Russo_Trial_Brief-min

 

  • Plaintiff’s Trial Reply Brief– Rebuttal in response to the trial briefs filed by the City of Riverside and Mr. Russo.
City_Trial_Reply_Brief_Russo_Case-min