San Bernardino County will pay $3 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged sexual abuse in the county’s Public Defender’s Office.
Co-defendant and former Chief Public Defender Chris Gardner denies the suit’s allegations. The settlement does not include an admission of guilt. Gardner is contributing $40,000 to the settlement, paid by insurance.
“I wasn’t going to admit to anything, because I didn’t do anything,” Gardner said by phone July 28.
County spokesman David Wert said by email the suit was settled to protect taxpayers’ money.
“The County maintains that it addressed the matters in question promptly, appropriately, responsibly and effectively when concerns were brought to the
