Kent

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Our two previous opinions in this litigation were filed in 2010. (Kent v. Lake Don Pedro Community Services Dist. (Apr. 30, 2010, F058131) [nonpub. opn.] (Kent I); Kent v. Lake Don Pedro Community Services Dist. (Dec. 30, 2010, F058926) [nonpub. opn.] (Kent II).) This account of the facts and procedural history is drawn in part from those opinions. The case began as two separate lawsuits relating to the same set of facts. Kent I began with a petition for a writ of mandate filed by plaintiffs on October 9, 2008. (Kent I, supra, F058131, at p. 2.) As later amended, the petition alleged that Kent and Topie had each been employed by the district for about 15 years, Kent most recently as general manager and Topie most recently as treasurer. On June 30, 2008, according to the petition, at the end of a closed-session meeting of the district’s board, Kent was given a “Letter of Censure” signed by each board member and detailing several reasons why the board was dissatisfied with him. (Id. at pp. 3-4.) On July 21, 2008, the board held two separate closed sessions, of which Kent and Topie did not receive notice, during which the board allegedly discussed…