Kelly Ruth Minnehan's new law firm signed a contract with CVESD (Chula
Vista Elementary School District) in 2008, but, for some reason, FFF
attorney Kelly Angell Minnehan is not on the 5-member CVESD team
consisting of Peter Fagen, Chris Keeler, Ricardo Silva, Dean Adams, and
Tiffany Santos.
Perhaps CVESD didn't want to
work with her. Maybe CVESD
was not pleased with the cost
and the outcomes of Ms. Minnehan's
legal maneuvers from 2002 to 2005.
Vista Elementary School District) in 2008, but, for some reason, FFF
attorney Kelly Angell Minnehan is not on the 5-member CVESD team
consisting of Peter Fagen, Chris Keeler, Ricardo Silva, Dean Adams, and
Tiffany Santos.
Perhaps CVESD didn't want to
work with her. Maybe CVESD
was not pleased with the cost
and the outcomes of Ms. Minnehan's
legal maneuvers from 2002 to 2005.
| 02/15/08 Kelly R. (Angell) Minnehan Business & Facilities Governance & Public Law Labor & Employment Litigation Student & Special Education |
Kelly Angell Minnehan has moved to Fagen, Friedman &
Fulfrost from Stutz Artiano Shinoff & Holtz. Stutz had assigned her to work
with CVESD; FFF did not.
Fulfrost from Stutz Artiano Shinoff & Holtz. Stutz had assigned her to work
with CVESD; FFF did not.
Robin Donlan
is reading
a quote from
the
deposition of
Gretchen
Donndelinger
> > >
is reading
a quote from
the
deposition of
Gretchen
Donndelinger
> > >
| When Kelly Angell worked at Stutz, Artiano, Shinoff & Holtz, she got Robin Donlan to change her testimony on November 4, 2004. Attorney Kelly Angell Minnehan intentionally caused Robin Colls Donlan to change her testimony during her deposition for San Diego Superior Court case number GIC781970. Kelly Angell Minnehan was working under the supervision of Daniel Shinoff, who had, with Jeffery Morris, set out the strategy for this case, and had, on December 17, 2003, made clear to Angell Minnehan that he approved and would help cover-up any actions she might take to win the case. ROBIN DONLAN DEPOSITION November 4, 2004 (Exhibit 1) Page 99 Q. Do you know that I was dismissed by the school district? MS. ANGELL: You mean other than conversations that are attorney-client privileged, attorney work product and information related to Ms. Donlan in the course of this litigation? MS. LARKINS: Yes. THE WITNESS: We were told during a meeting, so-- [At this point, the deponent had answered a clear question, AFTER her lawyer's clarification that the question specifically ruled out information that was "attorney-client privileged, attorney work product and information related to Ms. Donlan in the course of this litigation." Ms. Donlan made it clear that there had been a meeting which was NOT "attorney-client privileged, attorney work product and information related to Ms. Donlan in the course of this litigation," in which she had learned that LARKINS had been dismissed from employment. As DONLAN answered this question affirmatively, the video camera recorded her tone of voice, eye movements, and body language, all of which support the court reporter's record of an affirmative response. This additional evidence indicates DONLAN'S clear understanding of the question, and her clear understanding of the clarification by her lawyer. DONLAN nodded her head affirmatively as she answered, "We were told during a meeting, so--." She looked at Kelly Angell as she spoke the words, and spoke in a confidential tone of voice, as if she had never before given this information to her lawyer, but was giving it to her now. ANGELL interrupted her client's testimony to give a clear order, a clear directive, a clear instruction, to Ms. Donlan:] Angell: "Well, you don't discuss anything that was told to you by your counsel, things that you discussed with counsel. So the question is did you know, other than through your counsel or through this litigation, that she had been dismissed? [The witness--and any reasonable person informed of ANGELL'S words and actions--could not help but understand that ANGELL was trying to get her client to change her testimony. I doubt that Ms. Angell ever discussed this issue with her client. Ms. Donlan learned it at a school meeting about a year before she came to know any lawyer at Stutz law firm. Ms. Donlan did change her testimony:] THE WITNESS: No. [Why did ANGELL want this apparently innocuous information contradicted? Because ANGELL was desperate to avoid any testimony about discussions about the matter between teachers, Michael Carlson and/or Rick Werlin, even though those discussions were absolutely not covered by attorney-client privilege, since those discussions involved not only violations of contract and civil law, but criminal law as well. This isn’t a private lawyer protecting a client. This is a public entity lawyer preventing a witness from telling the truth about harm done by the public entity. This is a representative of a public institution (Chula Vista Elementary School District) forcing a client to change her testimony about a crime committed by that institution. This is public, not private. This is an action BY government, supported by tax dollars, and the public has a right to know about it. San Diego County Office of Education Joint Powers Authority must stop milking the public and harming public education. The following quotes from Robin Donlan’s deposition show exactly how she contradicted the sworn testimony of her principal. Stutz law firm knew very well that these people had violated Labor Code Section 432.7 (a misdemeanor) against Larkins (Exhibit 8), but instead of advising the district to issue an apology to Larkins, they continued to bill the district for their efforts to conceal the facts.] ROBIN COLLS DONLAN DEPOSITION November 4, 2004 P 123 18 MS. LARKINS: Okay. I would like to ask that this document be labeled -- okay -- as Exhibit 5. I want to make sure that you get one, Ms. Garvin, because this relates so specifically to your client. P 124 (Exhibit 5 marked for identification.) "Deposition of Gretchen Donndelinger." [see right column for Donndelinger transcript > > >] P 126 Q. Was there ever something about a police report that you didn't want Gretchen Donndelinger to know? A. Not to my recollection, no. Q. Okay. So according to your recollection, Gretchen Donndelinger's testimony about you here is false? A. As far as I recall. Q. Was there ever something about a police report that you didn't want Gretchen Donndelinger to know? A. Not to my recollection, no. Q. Okay. So according to your recollection, Gretchen Donndelinger's testimony about you here is false? A. As far as I recall. Q. Okay. Did your brother ever talk to you during the year 2000 about my having been arrested? MR. GARVIN: Vague and ambiguous. THE WITNESS: No. 21-22 Q. Okay. Would you please read the question on Line 2 of Page 81. P 127 line 9-16 Q. Okay. Now that you have read almost half a page of Gretchen Donndelinger's testimony about a conversation she claims to have had with you, are you getting any memories at all of this conversation? A. No, none whatsoever. Q. Okay. Do you have any explanation for why Gretchen Donndelinger would have said that you talked about a police report? Page 128 line 8 through page 129 line 5 Q. So could you read the question that was asked of Gretchen Donndelinger that is recorded here on Line 10 on Page 81. A. "Was this in a face-to-face conversation with Robin Colls?" Q. And what was Gretchen's answer? A. "Yes." Q. Okay. You don't remember any face-to-face conversation with Gretchen Donndelinger about a police report that allegedly somehow involved me? A. No, I don't. Q. Okay. Do you have any experience of Gretchen Donndelinger having hallucinations? A. No. Personally, no. Q. Okay. But you heard -- her testimony here is false; is that your testimony? A. I don't have any recollection of that event. Q. Could this conversation have had happened and you might have forgotten it? A. I doubt that. Q. So you're quite sure this conversation never took place? A. I don't recall it. P70 11 Q. When I was working at Castle Park and Gretchen Donndelinger was working at Castle Park, did you ever talk to her about a police report involving me or anyone connected with me? A. No. Q. Did you ever tell her that you knew something about me, but you -- she wouldn't want to know it? A. No. Q. Did you ever tell her that there was some sort of non-school relationship between my family and your family? A. Not to my recollection, no. p71 Q. Did you ever talk to Gretchen Donndelinger without an attorney present about me at any other time other than the times you were discussing the white board incident and the notebook incident? A. I don't recall any, no. 12 Q. Okay. If you had knowledge about a police report about a teacher at your school, is that something you'd be likely to remember? 15 A. Probably. Another individual who gave questionable testimony under pressure from Kelly Angell MInnehan (and the CVESD board) was Linda Watson (Exhibit 7), Watson contradicted herself again and again, and changed her testimony when Larkins asked if Watson would mind if her phone records were subpoenaed. |
ACSA Online - Events - Pupil
Services and Special Ed... -
Published on: 1/14/2000
Last Visited: 9/1/2000
Howard Fulfrost, attorney,
Lozano Smith
Acknowledging that school
districts may not have the
resources to fulfill their
obligations to all children with
disabilities, the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act
permits school districts to use
private schools and agencies
as a means of carrying out
federal and state special
education mandates.After
attending this workshop, a
school administrator will know
how to, among other things :.
Distinguish among the three
types of private school
students with disabilities and a
school district's obligations to
each under the IDEA and
related California law
;.Develop a policy for serving
parentally placed private
school students ;.
http://www.acsa.org/events/
Pupil_Svcs_Special_Ed
This link has been broken
by ACSA (Association of
California School
Administrators):
Here's the message I got:
"Page Not Found
"The page you are looking
for is currently
unavailable."
Services and Special Ed... -
Published on: 1/14/2000
Last Visited: 9/1/2000
Howard Fulfrost, attorney,
Lozano Smith
Acknowledging that school
districts may not have the
resources to fulfill their
obligations to all children with
disabilities, the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act
permits school districts to use
private schools and agencies
as a means of carrying out
federal and state special
education mandates.After
attending this workshop, a
school administrator will know
how to, among other things :.
Distinguish among the three
types of private school
students with disabilities and a
school district's obligations to
each under the IDEA and
related California law
;.Develop a policy for serving
parentally placed private
school students ;.
http://www.acsa.org/events/
Pupil_Svcs_Special_Ed
This link has been broken
by ACSA (Association of
California School
Administrators):
Here's the message I got:
"Page Not Found
"The page you are looking
for is currently
unavailable."
Howard Fulfrost shareholder (from Lozano Smith website)
Location: Santa Monica Practice(s): Special Education
Howard J. Fulfrost is a shareholder in the Santa Monica office and co-chair of the firm’s Special
Education Practice Group. Mr. Fulfrost brings to the firm a wealth of knowledge regarding students
with disabilities and special education. He represents and advises school districts, county offices of
education, and Special Education Local Plan Areas with regard to all aspects of special education
law. A favored presenter at the firm's Special Education Legal Consortia, Mr. Fulfrost is frequently
asked to speak throughout the country on a variety of special education legal topics.
Prior to joining the firm, he was employed as staff counsel for the Division of Special Education at Los
Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the nation. In that position, he
represented the District in hundreds of due process cases and provided ongoing legal support to
every level of District administration in all areas of special education law. Before law school, he
completed his Master of Arts degree in Developmental Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia
University, and coordinated a community-based program in two New York City high schools. As an
undergraduate, he was a student teacher in special education at the in-patient school at UCLA's
Neuropsychiatric Institute. His having been named a Southern California Rising Star for 2004 and
2005 evidences Mr. Fulfrost’s position as a leading education attorney in California.
Mr. Fulfrost earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1993. He
holds a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of
California, Los Angeles.
Howard Fulfrost
Lozano Smith
2800 28th Street, Suite 240, Santa Monica, CA 90405-6205
Phone: (310) 382-5300, Fax: (310) 382-5310
hfulfrost@lozanosmith.com
Location: Santa Monica Practice(s): Special Education
Howard J. Fulfrost is a shareholder in the Santa Monica office and co-chair of the firm’s Special
Education Practice Group. Mr. Fulfrost brings to the firm a wealth of knowledge regarding students
with disabilities and special education. He represents and advises school districts, county offices of
education, and Special Education Local Plan Areas with regard to all aspects of special education
law. A favored presenter at the firm's Special Education Legal Consortia, Mr. Fulfrost is frequently
asked to speak throughout the country on a variety of special education legal topics.
Prior to joining the firm, he was employed as staff counsel for the Division of Special Education at Los
Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the nation. In that position, he
represented the District in hundreds of due process cases and provided ongoing legal support to
every level of District administration in all areas of special education law. Before law school, he
completed his Master of Arts degree in Developmental Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia
University, and coordinated a community-based program in two New York City high schools. As an
undergraduate, he was a student teacher in special education at the in-patient school at UCLA's
Neuropsychiatric Institute. His having been named a Southern California Rising Star for 2004 and
2005 evidences Mr. Fulfrost’s position as a leading education attorney in California.
Mr. Fulfrost earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1993. He
holds a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of
California, Los Angeles.
Howard Fulfrost
Lozano Smith
2800 28th Street, Suite 240, Santa Monica, CA 90405-6205
Phone: (310) 382-5300, Fax: (310) 382-5310
hfulfrost@lozanosmith.com
After a federal judge ordered the lawyers at his firm to take an ethics class, Howard
Fulfrost left Lozano Smith law firm.
He apparently is trying to hide this fact.
Howard Fulfrost's current biography on his law firm site states:
Fulfrost left Lozano Smith law firm.
He apparently is trying to hide this fact.
Howard Fulfrost's current biography on his law firm site states:
"Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Fulfrost was an associate, and then a
shareholder, with another California education law firm
["another California education law firm"? Why not
mention the name: it is Lozano Smith.] While at that firm, he
was co-chairperson of the Special Education Practice Group – leading its
growth to California’s largest and most well-recognized special education
practice." [and to sanctions from a federal court]
shareholder, with another California education law firm
["another California education law firm"? Why not
mention the name: it is Lozano Smith.] While at that firm, he
was co-chairperson of the Special Education Practice Group – leading its
growth to California’s largest and most well-recognized special education
practice." [and to sanctions from a federal court]
Here's the bio Mr. Fulfrost posted on the website of his prior firm, Lozano
Smith. The original web address was http://www.lozanosmith.com/attorneyprofile.asp?aid=64.
The following was cached by ZoomInfo.
Smith. The original web address was http://www.lozanosmith.com/attorneyprofile.asp?aid=64.
The following was cached by ZoomInfo.
Howard Fulfrost's former firm:
Lying, obstruction
cited in sanctions
for law firm
Fresno's Lozano Smith, attorney
ordered to train in ethics
By Erin Kennedy
The Fresno Bee,
January 18, 2005
U.S. District Court Ruling
Fresno law firm Lozano Smith and its
attorney Elaine Yama have been
sanctioned by a federal
judge for lying,
misrepresenting law and
facts, and intentionally
dragging out a case involving a
school district and a special education
student.
U.S. District Court Judge Oliver
Wanger fined the law firm, Yama and
Bret Harte Union High School District
in Calaveras County $5,000 each.
He also ordered Yama
to take 20 hours of
ethics courses and
Lozano Smith to
conduct ethics training
for all of its attorneys
and shareholders.
Lozano Smith is one of the largest
education law firms in the state and
the main legal representation for
Fresno Unified, Clovis Unified and
many other local school districts...
Lying, obstruction
cited in sanctions
for law firm
Fresno's Lozano Smith, attorney
ordered to train in ethics
By Erin Kennedy
The Fresno Bee,
January 18, 2005
U.S. District Court Ruling
Fresno law firm Lozano Smith and its
attorney Elaine Yama have been
sanctioned by a federal
judge for lying,
misrepresenting law and
facts, and intentionally
dragging out a case involving a
school district and a special education
student.
U.S. District Court Judge Oliver
Wanger fined the law firm, Yama and
Bret Harte Union High School District
in Calaveras County $5,000 each.
He also ordered Yama
to take 20 hours of
ethics courses and
Lozano Smith to
conduct ethics training
for all of its attorneys
and shareholders.
Lozano Smith is one of the largest
education law firms in the state and
the main legal representation for
Fresno Unified, Clovis Unified and
many other local school districts...
Howard Fulfrost was a shareholder at Lozano Smith when the firm billed Bret Harte
Union High School District $500,000 for a case that could have been settled years
earlier for $8,000.
Union High School District $500,000 for a case that could have been settled years
earlier for $8,000.
Howard Fulfrost: member of the School Attorney
Advisory Board
LRP's Special Education School Attorneys Conference
Jan. 29 - 31, 2009
San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter
San Antonio, Texas
School Attorney Advisory Board
MELINDA BAIRD, Law Office of Melinda Baird, Jacksboro, Tenn.
JACK CLARKE, JR., Best, Best & Krieger, Riverside, Calif.
HOWARD FULFROST, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP, Los Angeles
ZVI GREISMANN, Montgomery County Board of Education, Rockville, Md.
VIOLA LORDI, Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A., Woodbridge, N.J.
KATHLEEN MEHFOUD, Reed Smith LLP, Richmond, Va.
GARY RUESCH, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee, Wis.
JIM WALSH, Walsh, Anderson, Brown, Schulze & Aldridge, P.C., Austin, Texas
CHARLES WEATHERLY, Weatherly Law Firm, Atlanta, Ga.
JULIE WEATHERLY, Resolutions in Special Education, Mobile, Ala.
GERALD ZELIN, Drummond Woodsum, Portsmouth, N.H...
Who Should Attend
"Registration Criteria
"To encourage open dialogue and discussion, participation in this conference is
limited. Registrants MUST BE ATTORNEYS who do not currently represent
parties with special education interests adverse to school districts."
[Maura Larkins' note: What exactly is it that participants WOULDN'T SAY if they
knew that someone with opposing interests was present? Would they keep
certain illegal tricks and tools of the trade secret?]
LPR Publications
Founded in 1977 by Kenneth Kahn, then a practicing employment law attorney, LRP Publications
has been serving business and education professionals for more than three decades. Originally
known as Labor Relations Press, the company first published case reporters for the legal
profession. As the company expanded into other specialty areas, it became known as LRP
Publications.
Today, LRP publishes two industry-leading magazines, Human Resource Executive® and Risk &
Insurance®, as well as hundreds of newsletters, books, videos and case reporters in the fields of:
• human resources
• federal employment
• workers' compensation
• public employment law
• disability
• bankruptcy
• education administration and law
Complementing these suites of resources are dedicated Web sites including Title1admin.com,
EducationDaily.com®, SpecialEdConnection.com®, cyberFeds.com® and HREOnline.com™. For a
complete list of our resources, visit www.shoplrp.com.
LRP Publications also provides top-quality training and professional development in national
conferences and trade shows, plus an ever-growing offering of live audio conferences and
Webinars...
Advisory Board
LRP's Special Education School Attorneys Conference
Jan. 29 - 31, 2009
San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter
San Antonio, Texas
School Attorney Advisory Board
MELINDA BAIRD, Law Office of Melinda Baird, Jacksboro, Tenn.
JACK CLARKE, JR., Best, Best & Krieger, Riverside, Calif.
HOWARD FULFROST, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP, Los Angeles
ZVI GREISMANN, Montgomery County Board of Education, Rockville, Md.
VIOLA LORDI, Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A., Woodbridge, N.J.
KATHLEEN MEHFOUD, Reed Smith LLP, Richmond, Va.
GARY RUESCH, Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee, Wis.
JIM WALSH, Walsh, Anderson, Brown, Schulze & Aldridge, P.C., Austin, Texas
CHARLES WEATHERLY, Weatherly Law Firm, Atlanta, Ga.
JULIE WEATHERLY, Resolutions in Special Education, Mobile, Ala.
GERALD ZELIN, Drummond Woodsum, Portsmouth, N.H...
Who Should Attend
"Registration Criteria
"To encourage open dialogue and discussion, participation in this conference is
limited. Registrants MUST BE ATTORNEYS who do not currently represent
parties with special education interests adverse to school districts."
[Maura Larkins' note: What exactly is it that participants WOULDN'T SAY if they
knew that someone with opposing interests was present? Would they keep
certain illegal tricks and tools of the trade secret?]
LPR Publications
Founded in 1977 by Kenneth Kahn, then a practicing employment law attorney, LRP Publications
has been serving business and education professionals for more than three decades. Originally
known as Labor Relations Press, the company first published case reporters for the legal
profession. As the company expanded into other specialty areas, it became known as LRP
Publications.
Today, LRP publishes two industry-leading magazines, Human Resource Executive® and Risk &
Insurance®, as well as hundreds of newsletters, books, videos and case reporters in the fields of:
• human resources
• federal employment
• workers' compensation
• public employment law
• disability
• bankruptcy
• education administration and law
Complementing these suites of resources are dedicated Web sites including Title1admin.com,
EducationDaily.com®, SpecialEdConnection.com®, cyberFeds.com® and HREOnline.com™. For a
complete list of our resources, visit www.shoplrp.com.
LRP Publications also provides top-quality training and professional development in national
conferences and trade shows, plus an ever-growing offering of live audio conferences and
Webinars...
Clients
Anaheim City School District
Board of Education
A G E N D A
Regular Meeting
Monday, June 26, 2006
It is recommended the Board of
Education approve an agreement
between this
District and Fagen, Friedman &
Fulfrost, LLP, 100 E. San Marcos
Boulevard,
Suite 400, San Marcos, CA 92069 for
the purpose of providing legal advice
and
counsel on labor and employment
matters. The hourly rate for legal
services
shall be as follows: Paralegal $90,
law clerk/senior paralegal $100,
associate
$190, senior attorney $200, and
partner $210. The cost shall not
exceed
$20,000. This agreement shall
continue unless terminated in writing
by either
party.
Funding:
01-8001-5816 Attorney Fees, Human
Resources
Page 9
Board Agenda – June 26, 2006
Anaheim City School District
Board of Education
A G E N D A
Regular Meeting
Monday, June 26, 2006
It is recommended the Board of
Education approve an agreement
between this
District and Fagen, Friedman &
Fulfrost, LLP, 100 E. San Marcos
Boulevard,
Suite 400, San Marcos, CA 92069 for
the purpose of providing legal advice
and
counsel on labor and employment
matters. The hourly rate for legal
services
shall be as follows: Paralegal $90,
law clerk/senior paralegal $100,
associate
$190, senior attorney $200, and
partner $210. The cost shall not
exceed
$20,000. This agreement shall
continue unless terminated in writing
by either
party.
Funding:
01-8001-5816 Attorney Fees, Human
Resources
Page 9
Board Agenda – June 26, 2006
Other lawyers made
the same jump after
Howard Fulfrost
the same jump after
Howard Fulfrost
Was Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost formed so that sanctioned Lozano Smith
lawyers could keep playing the same tricks under a different name?
lawyers could keep playing the same tricks under a different name?
Legal Office – To assist the
District in its negotiations with
the United Educators of San
Francisco (UESF), Laurie
Juengert, recently
switched law firms – from
Lozano Smith to Fagen,
Friedman & Fulfrost. New
contract, new firm. Fagen
Friedman & Fulfrost LLP -
$40,000 – General Fund
Unrestricted
SA N FR A N C I S C O UN I F I E D
SC H O O L DI S T R I C T
A G E N D A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2007
6:00 P.M.
IRVING G. BREYER BOARD
MEETING ROOM
555 FRANKLIN STREET, FIRST
FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
94102
Board of Education: Mark Sanchez -
President Kim-Shree Maufas
Norman Yee – Vice President Hydra
B. Mendoza Jane KimJill WynnsEric
Mar, Esq. Student Delegates to the
Board of Education: Diana Suen Lea
Elliott Interim Superintendent of
Schools: Gwen Chan
District in its negotiations with
the United Educators of San
Francisco (UESF), Laurie
Juengert, recently
switched law firms – from
Lozano Smith to Fagen,
Friedman & Fulfrost. New
contract, new firm. Fagen
Friedman & Fulfrost LLP -
$40,000 – General Fund
Unrestricted
SA N FR A N C I S C O UN I F I E D
SC H O O L DI S T R I C T
A G E N D A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2007
6:00 P.M.
IRVING G. BREYER BOARD
MEETING ROOM
555 FRANKLIN STREET, FIRST
FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
94102
Board of Education: Mark Sanchez -
President Kim-Shree Maufas
Norman Yee – Vice President Hydra
B. Mendoza Jane KimJill WynnsEric
Mar, Esq. Student Delegates to the
Board of Education: Diana Suen Lea
Elliott Interim Superintendent of
Schools: Gwen Chan
Fagen Friedman Fulfrost
Fagen, Friedman &
Fulfrost
San Marcos office
Melanie A. Petersen... served
fifteen years as in-house
counsel for San Diego
Unified School District...
Ms. Petersen is the chair of the
firm’s Charter School Practice
Group...[She] is a frequent
presenter at ACSA, CSBA,
NSBA and several other
professional organizations.
She is the 2008-
09 President of
the California
Council of School
Attorneys.
From FFF website
downloaded 09/01/08
Fulfrost
San Marcos office
Melanie A. Petersen... served
fifteen years as in-house
counsel for San Diego
Unified School District...
Ms. Petersen is the chair of the
firm’s Charter School Practice
Group...[She] is a frequent
presenter at ACSA, CSBA,
NSBA and several other
professional organizations.
She is the 2008-
09 President of
the California
Council of School
Attorneys.
From FFF website
downloaded 09/01/08
San Diego
Education Report
Education Report
Kelly Angell Minnehan worked closely with the teacher's union lawyer,
Michael Hersh, in this case. Michael Hersh was taking direction from
California Teacher Association's chief counsel, Beverly Tucker.
Michael Hersh, in this case. Michael Hersh was taking direction from
California Teacher Association's chief counsel, Beverly Tucker.
September 10, 2002
Page 80 line 19
Q. Did Robin Colls [AKA Robin
Donlan] ever share with you any
kind of
information concerning a police
report allegedly, somehow,
involving Maura
Larkins?
A. Actually, that did come up
at some point when she [Robin
Colls/Donlan]was
talking, but she, herself, said, you
know, you don’t want to hear
anything about
that. And I’m not going to tell
you. I know that there is
something, but I have no clue
what it is. She didn’t want me to
know.
[Robin is demonstrating
awareness of guilt.]
Q. So she said there’s
something in the police report?
A. It was a personal thing.
Q. Involving something that was
a non-school matter but that
Robin Colls was
aware of?
A. Uh-huh.
Q. Was that a yes?
A. Yes, I do recall hearing
something like that. I have no
details whatsoever.
Q. Was this in a face-to-face
conversation with Robin Colls?
A. Yes.
Q. And what year was that?
A. That was the year, I think she
told me about that this year, the
year—
Q. 2002?
A. Two—1999, 2000 school
year. It was the year before.
Q. That this occurred?
A. It occurred in the 1999, 2000
school year.
Q. But you found out about it in
which year.
A. There was an incident that this
is referring to in my belief. They
had a
problem with a staff member the
year before and—that’s what I
understood this to
mean anyway.
Q. Exhibit 19? [Exhibit 19]
Page 82 lines 1-25:
A. Yes. It happened in 1999,
September. [actually, 2000,
September]
It was like the first week back
from
vacation. That’s when that
happened, and, I believe, that’s
when Robin told me
that there was an incident, there
was a personal, a side incident,
but she said
you don’t want to know about it
[because it would be a crime to
obtain this
information?]. And I said no, it’s
personal, doesn’t have anything to
do with
school, I don’t want to know.
Q. And she told you it
involved some sort of police
report or law enforcement
report?
A. I think so, yes.
Q. Did you ask her how she
knew that?
A. Uh-uh.
Q. No?
A. That was it. That’s all she
said. She said I have this thing
going on with her on the side.
Outside of school. You don’t want
to know about it.
Q. Was it an indication that
she had it going on, that it was
something personal?
A. It was a personal issue
outside of school going on with
Maura and her
somehow, and I don’t know if it
was her or her family or—but that
was it. That’s all she said.
Q. Did Ms. Colls, rather, leave
you with the impression that it
was going
on—that somehow, Ms. Colls was
actually involved in this personal
incident?
A. That she or her family, you
know, she knows about it or it
was—something else going on
outside of school,
Page 83, lines 1-8:
[A. contd.] Something to do with
Robin and or her family and
Maura. I don’t know even why I
remember that. Somehow
somebody told me, and I think it
was Robin.
Q. It had something to do
with either Robin or a family
member of Robin’s?
A. Yeah. I think if it was actually
Robin I probably would have
wanted to
know, just natural curiosity. I don’
t think it was against her. I think
it was
a family member.
Page 80 line 19
Q. Did Robin Colls [AKA Robin
Donlan] ever share with you any
kind of
information concerning a police
report allegedly, somehow,
involving Maura
Larkins?
A. Actually, that did come up
at some point when she [Robin
Colls/Donlan]was
talking, but she, herself, said, you
know, you don’t want to hear
anything about
that. And I’m not going to tell
you. I know that there is
something, but I have no clue
what it is. She didn’t want me to
know.
[Robin is demonstrating
awareness of guilt.]
Q. So she said there’s
something in the police report?
A. It was a personal thing.
Q. Involving something that was
a non-school matter but that
Robin Colls was
aware of?
A. Uh-huh.
Q. Was that a yes?
A. Yes, I do recall hearing
something like that. I have no
details whatsoever.
Q. Was this in a face-to-face
conversation with Robin Colls?
A. Yes.
Q. And what year was that?
A. That was the year, I think she
told me about that this year, the
year—
Q. 2002?
A. Two—1999, 2000 school
year. It was the year before.
Q. That this occurred?
A. It occurred in the 1999, 2000
school year.
Q. But you found out about it in
which year.
A. There was an incident that this
is referring to in my belief. They
had a
problem with a staff member the
year before and—that’s what I
understood this to
mean anyway.
Q. Exhibit 19? [Exhibit 19]
Page 82 lines 1-25:
A. Yes. It happened in 1999,
September. [actually, 2000,
September]
It was like the first week back
from
vacation. That’s when that
happened, and, I believe, that’s
when Robin told me
that there was an incident, there
was a personal, a side incident,
but she said
you don’t want to know about it
[because it would be a crime to
obtain this
information?]. And I said no, it’s
personal, doesn’t have anything to
do with
school, I don’t want to know.
Q. And she told you it
involved some sort of police
report or law enforcement
report?
A. I think so, yes.
Q. Did you ask her how she
knew that?
A. Uh-uh.
Q. No?
A. That was it. That’s all she
said. She said I have this thing
going on with her on the side.
Outside of school. You don’t want
to know about it.
Q. Was it an indication that
she had it going on, that it was
something personal?
A. It was a personal issue
outside of school going on with
Maura and her
somehow, and I don’t know if it
was her or her family or—but that
was it. That’s all she said.
Q. Did Ms. Colls, rather, leave
you with the impression that it
was going
on—that somehow, Ms. Colls was
actually involved in this personal
incident?
A. That she or her family, you
know, she knows about it or it
was—something else going on
outside of school,
Page 83, lines 1-8:
[A. contd.] Something to do with
Robin and or her family and
Maura. I don’t know even why I
remember that. Somehow
somebody told me, and I think it
was Robin.
Q. It had something to do
with either Robin or a family
member of Robin’s?
A. Yeah. I think if it was actually
Robin I probably would have
wanted to
know, just natural curiosity. I don’
t think it was against her. I think
it was
a family member.
< < < Deposition of
Gretchen
Donndelinger, principal
of Castle Park
Elementary
See also the deposition of Robin
Donlan and the Rick Werlin
deposition.
Below is the pertinent part of that
deposition, taken for the Office of
Administrative Hearings, but
never used by Maura Larkins'
attorney, Elizabeth Schulman.
Gretchen
Donndelinger, principal
of Castle Park
Elementary
See also the deposition of Robin
Donlan and the Rick Werlin
deposition.
Below is the pertinent part of that
deposition, taken for the Office of
Administrative Hearings, but
never used by Maura Larkins'
attorney, Elizabeth Schulman.
Perjury
Michael Carlson and
atty Deborah K. Garvin
Michael Carlson and
atty Deborah K. Garvin
Home
Why This Website
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz v. Maura
Larkins defamation
SDCOE
CVESD
Castle Park Elem
Law Enforcement
CTA
CVE
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz
Silence is Golden
Schools and Violence
Office Admin Hearings
Larkins OAH Hearing
Why This Website
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz v. Maura
Larkins defamation
SDCOE
CVESD
Castle Park Elem
Law Enforcement
CTA
CVE
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz
Silence is Golden
Schools and Violence
Office Admin Hearings
Larkins OAH Hearing
Deposition of Peg Myers, CVE President,
also a client of Kelly Angell Minnehan
also a client of Kelly Angell Minnehan
“In my experience, women who wear belly bracelets have
always been misunderstood..."
"In an ironic twist, Christiansen was released this week from jail with help from another attorney
who worked for the BHUSD. Christiansen had been held on $2 million bail, but it was lowered to
$200,000.
Attorney Howard Fulfrost of Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost put up his Los Angeles
house as collateral for the bond, The Register reported. Fagen, Friedman and Fulfrost still
does some legal work for the BHUSD.
More Dirty Laundry Aired About Karen Christiansen
By Laurie Lande
Beverly Hills Patch
January 28, 2011
Additional details surface about the ex-BHUSD employee's allegedly inappropriate relationships.
After Christiansen sent the photos on Aug. 17, 2006, Huff responded, “In my experience, women
who wear belly bracelets have always been misunderstood.”
Christiansen replied: “Not in this case!!! Perfectly understood!!!”
This e-mail exchange came at the same time that Christiansen and Hubbard were exchanging
inappropriate messages. In those correspondences, sent using school e-mail accounts,
Hubbard addressed Christiansen as “sweetheart” and “hot stuff,” and they often told each other “I
love you.”
Huff worked for the BHUSD until 2008, when the board of education learned of his “involvement
with Karen,” Vice President Brian Goldberg told Patch. “There was not a formal vote, just direction
from the board to staff to stop using his firm.”
The e-mails between Christiansen and the private attorney hired by the district may bolster the
case of those on the school board who advocate hiring an in-house counsel rather than the
current practice of using outside attorneys. The board has spent much time in recent months
discussing the prospect of hiring an in-house counsel and has appointed a private committee of
attorneys to advise them in making the decision.
In an ironic twist, Christiansen was released this week from jail with help from another attorney
who worked for the BHUSD. Christiansen had been held on $2 million bail, but it was lowered to
$200,000.
Attorney Howard Fulfrost of Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost put up his Los Angeles house as
collateral for the bond, The Register reported. Fagen, Friedman and Fulfrost still does some legal
work for the BHUSD.
As previously reported by Patch, the charges against Christiansen are wide ranging.
Christiansen was hired as BHUSD facilities director in 2004 at an annual salary of $113,000, but
allegedly secretly negotiated an independent contractor agreement while performing the same
duties as a staffer. In addition to her alleged secret independent contractor status, she is
accused of negotiating deals between an energy firm and BHUSD while simultaneously
negotiating contracts between the firm and her consulting company, Strategic Concepts.
Hubbard, meanwhile, is accused of granting two $10,000 stipends and a car allowance increase
for Christiansen in early 2006 without board consent.
Watch for more bombshells about Christiansen and Hubbard when their scheduled trial begins
Feb. 7
always been misunderstood..."
"In an ironic twist, Christiansen was released this week from jail with help from another attorney
who worked for the BHUSD. Christiansen had been held on $2 million bail, but it was lowered to
$200,000.
Attorney Howard Fulfrost of Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost put up his Los Angeles
house as collateral for the bond, The Register reported. Fagen, Friedman and Fulfrost still
does some legal work for the BHUSD.
More Dirty Laundry Aired About Karen Christiansen
By Laurie Lande
Beverly Hills Patch
January 28, 2011
Additional details surface about the ex-BHUSD employee's allegedly inappropriate relationships.
After Christiansen sent the photos on Aug. 17, 2006, Huff responded, “In my experience, women
who wear belly bracelets have always been misunderstood.”
Christiansen replied: “Not in this case!!! Perfectly understood!!!”
This e-mail exchange came at the same time that Christiansen and Hubbard were exchanging
inappropriate messages. In those correspondences, sent using school e-mail accounts,
Hubbard addressed Christiansen as “sweetheart” and “hot stuff,” and they often told each other “I
love you.”
Huff worked for the BHUSD until 2008, when the board of education learned of his “involvement
with Karen,” Vice President Brian Goldberg told Patch. “There was not a formal vote, just direction
from the board to staff to stop using his firm.”
The e-mails between Christiansen and the private attorney hired by the district may bolster the
case of those on the school board who advocate hiring an in-house counsel rather than the
current practice of using outside attorneys. The board has spent much time in recent months
discussing the prospect of hiring an in-house counsel and has appointed a private committee of
attorneys to advise them in making the decision.
In an ironic twist, Christiansen was released this week from jail with help from another attorney
who worked for the BHUSD. Christiansen had been held on $2 million bail, but it was lowered to
$200,000.
Attorney Howard Fulfrost of Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost put up his Los Angeles house as
collateral for the bond, The Register reported. Fagen, Friedman and Fulfrost still does some legal
work for the BHUSD.
As previously reported by Patch, the charges against Christiansen are wide ranging.
Christiansen was hired as BHUSD facilities director in 2004 at an annual salary of $113,000, but
allegedly secretly negotiated an independent contractor agreement while performing the same
duties as a staffer. In addition to her alleged secret independent contractor status, she is
accused of negotiating deals between an energy firm and BHUSD while simultaneously
negotiating contracts between the firm and her consulting company, Strategic Concepts.
Hubbard, meanwhile, is accused of granting two $10,000 stipends and a car allowance increase
for Christiansen in early 2006 without board consent.
Watch for more bombshells about Christiansen and Hubbard when their scheduled trial begins
Feb. 7
“I am so upset by the
character assassination"
Christiansen Bail
Reduced,
Preliminary Hearing
To Continue Monday
Jan. 21, 2011
By Marla Schevker
Beverly Hills Courier
Los Angeles Superior Court
Judge Kathryn Solorzano
ruled today to lessen former
BHUSD Director of Facilities
and Planning Karen
Christiansen’s bail from $2
million to $200,000 after a
bail hearing in which friends
attorney Howard Fulfrost and
Beverly Hills resident
Elizabeth Chait testified on
Christiansen’s behalf.
Fulfrost, former BHUSD
attorney and husband to a
senior executive of
Christiansen’s company
Strategic Concepts’ Tim
Morneau, testified
Christiansen had been living
in their extra bedroom.
Fulfrost said both himself and
Morneau considered her to
be a part of the family. She
has her own room, puts her
own clothes away and leaves
her stuff in the bathroom and
shower, Fulfrost testified.
Chait, who was a PTA
president from 2003 to 2005
and chairperson of the
Beverly Hills Unified School
District Service Learning
Advisory Board for
approximately nine years,
was clearly distraught when
she took the stand to testify
on Christiansen’s behalf.
“I am so upset by the
character assassination
taking place in this
courtroom,” she testified,
turning to point her finger
alternately at District
Attorneys Juliet Schmidt and
Max Huntsman. “Especially by
you two (district attorneys).”
Chait said all of Christiansen’
s friends were in Beverly Hills.
Although Schmidt claimed
Christiansen would be a flight
risk because of her lack of
ties to the community, Chait
and Christiansen’s attorney
Philip Kaufler alleged
Christiansen has no money
and therefore could not go
anywhere.
“She has nowhere else to
go,” Chait said. “She has no
money, she’s borrowing
money from us. Where is she
to go?”
Solorzano said she believed
a $2 million bail to be too
high. Any money that goes
towards Christiansen’s bail is
subject to Penal Code 1275,
in which the DA must
determine the money is not
coming from any funds
Christiansen allegedly stole
or earned unfairly from the
district.
Solorzano also ruled that she
will not lower Christiansen’s
bail significantly and give her
an ankle bracelet to ensure
she will not flee. This is not a
DUI case, Solorzano said. A
$200,000 bail will give her
friends incentive to keep
Christiansen from fleeing,
Solorzano explained.
The preliminary hearing for
Christiansen and former
BHUSD Superintendent
Jeffery Hubbard will continue
on to Monday. Although the
prosecution has presented all
of their witnesses, Solorzano
stated she needed time to
review previous case law
regarding conflict of interest.
In a preliminary hearing it is
customary for the prosecution
to show there is enough
evidence to go to trial. The
defense on Monday will try to
persuade the court to allow
its witnesses to contradict the
prosecution’s showing.
The District Attorneys filed an
amended complaint Tuesday,
charging Hubbard with two
counts of misappropriation of
funds and Christiansen with
four counts of conflict of
interest. This amended
complaint took Christiansen
off both misappropriation
charges and removed one
conflict of interest charge.
Salvatore Ciulla, attorney for
Hubbard, has argued that the
Board actually approved the
stipend and increase in auto
allowance, even though they
may not have been aware of
the action.
Attorney’s for Christiansen
have argued that her work
does not fall under the
Conflict of Interest code
because she was neither an
employee nor district official
at the time she is accused of
making contracts that would
be of financial benefit to her.
However, the prosecution has
argued as a consultant
during 2006, that she held
the same duties as when she
was the director of planning
and facilities. They claim she
had the same influence over
board members and
therefore was able to benefit
from the recommendations
she made to the board.
Hubbard, who is now
Superintendent of the
Newport Mesa Unified School
District, is charged with two
counts of misappropriation of
funds, one in September of
2005 where he allegedly
increased Christiansen’s car
allowance and the other in
February of 2006 where he
allegedly gave her a $20,000
stipend.
Christiansen is accused of
having brokered contracts
with outside vendors for
financial gain while
performing duties as director
of planning and facilities for
the BHUSD. She was a major
planner and proponent of the
Measure E bond and
allegedly used her position as
director of planning and
facilities to broker a contract
for Strategic Concepts to
become the program and
project manager, for which
she received $2 million
before her contract was
terminated.
The preliminary hearing will
continue Monday in the
Airport Court branch of the
Los Angeles Superior Court.
character assassination"
Christiansen Bail
Reduced,
Preliminary Hearing
To Continue Monday
Jan. 21, 2011
By Marla Schevker
Beverly Hills Courier
Los Angeles Superior Court
Judge Kathryn Solorzano
ruled today to lessen former
BHUSD Director of Facilities
and Planning Karen
Christiansen’s bail from $2
million to $200,000 after a
bail hearing in which friends
attorney Howard Fulfrost and
Beverly Hills resident
Elizabeth Chait testified on
Christiansen’s behalf.
Fulfrost, former BHUSD
attorney and husband to a
senior executive of
Christiansen’s company
Strategic Concepts’ Tim
Morneau, testified
Christiansen had been living
in their extra bedroom.
Fulfrost said both himself and
Morneau considered her to
be a part of the family. She
has her own room, puts her
own clothes away and leaves
her stuff in the bathroom and
shower, Fulfrost testified.
Chait, who was a PTA
president from 2003 to 2005
and chairperson of the
Beverly Hills Unified School
District Service Learning
Advisory Board for
approximately nine years,
was clearly distraught when
she took the stand to testify
on Christiansen’s behalf.
“I am so upset by the
character assassination
taking place in this
courtroom,” she testified,
turning to point her finger
alternately at District
Attorneys Juliet Schmidt and
Max Huntsman. “Especially by
you two (district attorneys).”
Chait said all of Christiansen’
s friends were in Beverly Hills.
Although Schmidt claimed
Christiansen would be a flight
risk because of her lack of
ties to the community, Chait
and Christiansen’s attorney
Philip Kaufler alleged
Christiansen has no money
and therefore could not go
anywhere.
“She has nowhere else to
go,” Chait said. “She has no
money, she’s borrowing
money from us. Where is she
to go?”
Solorzano said she believed
a $2 million bail to be too
high. Any money that goes
towards Christiansen’s bail is
subject to Penal Code 1275,
in which the DA must
determine the money is not
coming from any funds
Christiansen allegedly stole
or earned unfairly from the
district.
Solorzano also ruled that she
will not lower Christiansen’s
bail significantly and give her
an ankle bracelet to ensure
she will not flee. This is not a
DUI case, Solorzano said. A
$200,000 bail will give her
friends incentive to keep
Christiansen from fleeing,
Solorzano explained.
The preliminary hearing for
Christiansen and former
BHUSD Superintendent
Jeffery Hubbard will continue
on to Monday. Although the
prosecution has presented all
of their witnesses, Solorzano
stated she needed time to
review previous case law
regarding conflict of interest.
In a preliminary hearing it is
customary for the prosecution
to show there is enough
evidence to go to trial. The
defense on Monday will try to
persuade the court to allow
its witnesses to contradict the
prosecution’s showing.
The District Attorneys filed an
amended complaint Tuesday,
charging Hubbard with two
counts of misappropriation of
funds and Christiansen with
four counts of conflict of
interest. This amended
complaint took Christiansen
off both misappropriation
charges and removed one
conflict of interest charge.
Salvatore Ciulla, attorney for
Hubbard, has argued that the
Board actually approved the
stipend and increase in auto
allowance, even though they
may not have been aware of
the action.
Attorney’s for Christiansen
have argued that her work
does not fall under the
Conflict of Interest code
because she was neither an
employee nor district official
at the time she is accused of
making contracts that would
be of financial benefit to her.
However, the prosecution has
argued as a consultant
during 2006, that she held
the same duties as when she
was the director of planning
and facilities. They claim she
had the same influence over
board members and
therefore was able to benefit
from the recommendations
she made to the board.
Hubbard, who is now
Superintendent of the
Newport Mesa Unified School
District, is charged with two
counts of misappropriation of
funds, one in September of
2005 where he allegedly
increased Christiansen’s car
allowance and the other in
February of 2006 where he
allegedly gave her a $20,000
stipend.
Christiansen is accused of
having brokered contracts
with outside vendors for
financial gain while
performing duties as director
of planning and facilities for
the BHUSD. She was a major
planner and proponent of the
Measure E bond and
allegedly used her position as
director of planning and
facilities to broker a contract
for Strategic Concepts to
become the program and
project manager, for which
she received $2 million
before her contract was
terminated.
The preliminary hearing will
continue Monday in the
Airport Court branch of the
Los Angeles Superior Court.
Link to blog re Fulfrost and
Culver City Unified School District
Culver City Unified School District
You know you're in trouble when...
Fagen, Friedman, Fulfrost Legal
Training:
Presented by Fresno County
SELPA
Location: Fresno County Office
of Education
Event Date: May 30, 2008
Fagen, Friedman, Fulfrost Legal
Training:
Presented by Fresno County
SELPA
Location: Fresno County Office
of Education
Event Date: May 30, 2008
Los Angeles Unified School
District
...The law firm of Fagen,
Friedman and Fulfrost is
contracted to a host a series of
4 comprehensive trainings for
charter school teachers,
administrators, and staff
designed to teach all aspects of
providing quality and compliant
special education services to
charter school students. Each
workshop will be presented at a
downtown location and at
Granada Hills Charter School. If
you have any questions about
the Fagen, Friedman and
Fulfrost project, please contact
Brian Padgett at
bpadgett@fagenfriedman.com.
Soup to Nuts Part 1
"What works?
Aggressiveness, Persuasiveness,
Control, Cost, Division, Leverage"
Aggressiveness: Preempt
Persuasion: Simplify, child's needs,
LRE, a note on predetermination
Control: Your presumption, your
knowledge
Cost: Taxpayers, stress, publicity"
Division: predetermination
Leverage: Fix the past
Play to your strength: Stay calm
Soup to Nuts Part 2 ...
District
...The law firm of Fagen,
Friedman and Fulfrost is
contracted to a host a series of
4 comprehensive trainings for
charter school teachers,
administrators, and staff
designed to teach all aspects of
providing quality and compliant
special education services to
charter school students. Each
workshop will be presented at a
downtown location and at
Granada Hills Charter School. If
you have any questions about
the Fagen, Friedman and
Fulfrost project, please contact
Brian Padgett at
bpadgett@fagenfriedman.com.
Soup to Nuts Part 1
"What works?
Aggressiveness, Persuasiveness,
Control, Cost, Division, Leverage"
Aggressiveness: Preempt
Persuasion: Simplify, child's needs,
LRE, a note on predetermination
Control: Your presumption, your
knowledge
Cost: Taxpayers, stress, publicity"
Division: predetermination
Leverage: Fix the past
Play to your strength: Stay calm
Soup to Nuts Part 2 ...
| Escape from Lozano Smith |