San Fernando Council Votes to Fire Its City Attorney

SAN FERNANDO — At a hastily called closed meeting Friday afternoon, the City Council voted 3 to 2 to fire its city attorney, the Los Angeles law firm of Beltran, Leal & Medina.

San Fernando City Council members Silverio Robledo, Richard Ramos and Beverly Di Tomaso voted for the change, while Mayor Jose Hernandez and Councilwoman Cindy Montanez dissented.

“Several issues came up my first month on the council that they handled unprofessionally,” said Ramos, who was elected in March along with Di Tomaso and Montanez. “We pay them to give us legal advice, and I don’t think they were doing a very good job.”

Di Tomaso said the firm did not serve the city properly and a change was inevitable.

“Their attentions were not there for us like they should have been,” she said.

Arnoldo Beltran, one of the firm’s attorneys, had little to say after the decision was made public following the brief closed session.

“I’m surprised,” he said. “They gave no reason. Did you hear a reason? They don’t have to give one.”

A visibly angry Hernandez said the firm is well respected and has done excellent work since the city hired it in 1997.

“I think it’s a matter of ego for some council members,” he said. “They want a firm they can manipulate.”

Hernandez and Robledo formed a majority along with former Mayor Raul Godinez to hire Beltran, Leal & Medina two years ago after firing the firm of Richards, Watson & Gershon.

Ironically, San Fernando is currently negotiating a contract to sign Richards, Watson & Gershon as its new city attorney, said City Administrator John Ornelas.

The council may vote on the matter as early as its next scheduled meeting May 17.

“I never heard of this firm,” Montanez said. “I was never told we were negotiating with them. There was never any discussion about who the new firm is going to be.”

Ornelas, who was not yet city administrator when Richards, Watson & Gershon was fired, admitted bringing the firm back would be incredibly ironic.

“Yes, I’m definitely surprised,” he said.

He added that a move had to be made quickly because there were “legitimate quality-of-service issues” with Beltran, Leal & Medina.

“There were inconsistencies in the legal advice, and I’m not sure we were getting the full attention of the firm,” Ornelas said.