The Federal Government and California Attorney General filed separate criminal cases. Marc was lead counsel in both cases. Client was General Manager of Panoche Water District, Panoche Drainage District (including the San Joaquin River Improvement Project), Charleston Drainage District, and Mercy Springs Water District. Just prior to the federal trial, the government proposed a resolution, client agreed to the resolution on the condition that the government agree, and the government did in fact agree in writing as part of the plea agreement that: (1) water taken was used to protect farmland and contributed to the San Joaquin River being removed from the list of impaired waters under California’s Clean Water Act; (2) client did not financially, or otherwise, benefit from the water taken; and (3) that client owed no taxes. Thereafter the California Attorney General offered client a misdemeanor theft charge with no restitution owed and probation. Although, client was confident he would prevail at trial, at the age of 78 he opted to plead no contest rather than spend any further time or money on the matter. To learn more about these cases press on the link.
