Rios v. West Valley Water Dist. CA4/2
Petitioner John Rios contacted respondent West Valley Water District (WVWD) demanding public records relating to improper use of the agency’s credit card that led to an employee’s termination. Robert Tafoya, general counsel for WVWD contacted petitioner’s counsel setting out various defenses to production to “protect the record” but informed petitioner’s counsel that the documents were available to be picked up. Instead of picking up the requested documents, petitioner filed a petition for writ of mandate against respondent WVWD, its director Clarence Mansell, and Tafoya, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA). The petition alleged the respondents refused to produce the requested documents. After mailing the petition without a notice and acknowledgment of receipt to WVWD, respondent’s counsel instructed the agency to communicate to petitioner that he should contact WVWD’s attorney who would accept service on behalf of the agency.
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