Rivero

Filed 12/19/14; pub. order 1/6/15 (see end of opn.)

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION THREE

FRANCISCO RIVERO,

Plaintiff and Appellant,

A139216

v. LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF (Lake County SUPERVISORS, Super. Ct. No. CV411638) Defendant and Respondent.

Plaintiff Francisco Rivero, the sheriff of Lake County (Rivero or sheriff), filed a petition for writ of mandate to compel defendant Lake County Board of Supervisors (county or board of supervisors) to provide him with independent legal counsel in a dispute with the district attorney. The impetus of the request was the district attorney’s announced intention to designate Rivero as a Brady1 officer, the consequence of which would be that, if Rivero were called to testify in a criminal trial, the district attorney would be required to disclose to the defense that Rivero had previously provided false information in an official investigation. The court granted the writ and directed the county to provide independent legal counsel for Rivero pursuant to Government Code section 31000.6.2

1 Brady v. Maryland…