Conflict of interest between a race car enthusiast, a NASCAR event, and the legal field, has led to a legal malpractice case, and an enviromental pollution case. “Since 2004, the city has settled with many businesses, including the Lodi News-Sentinel. Other parties are in negotiations, and water rates have been raised to pay for the city’s portion of the cleanup. That rate increase has become an election issue and a measure to reverse it will go to the voters in November.
“Former City Attorney Randy Hays allowed a Lodi businessman to support a car racing venture Hays operated with his son — though the businessman was clearly targeted as a potential defendant in the city’s pollution lawsuit.
In the meantime, the city has filed a malpractice lawsuit against Donovan. His firm was paid roughly $15 million in fees, though he has counter-sued and claims the city owes him another $14 million in unpaid fees.
Donovan acknowledged in a deposition last month that his law firm sponsored Hays’ son’s race car.” Full article