Agenda 01/08/2013 Item #10O 1/8/2013 Item 10.0.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation that there be immediate substitution of counsel in the case of Stephen J.
Fletcher vs Thomas C. Curry and Thomas Vergo; that the County Attorney immediately
terminate the services of the Law Firm of Richard L. Richards and Jason Goldstein in the
representation of defendants Thomas C. Curry and Thomas Vergo; that the County
Attorney be appointed to represent Mr. Curry and Mr. Vergo in the litigation brought
against them by Mr. Stephen J. Fletcher and Fletcher Flying Services, Inc. (currently
pending in Collier Circuit Court); and that a full accounting of all legal costs in this matter
be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for review at the next board meeting.
OBJECTIVE: Recommendation that there be immediate substitution of counsel in the case of
Stephen J. Fletcher vs Thomas C. Curry and Thomas Vergo; that the County Attorney
immediately terminate the services of the Law Firm of Richard L. Richards and Jason Goldstein
in the representation of defendants Thomas C. Curry and Thomas Vergo; that the County
Attorney be appointed to represent Mr. Curry and Mr. Vergo in the litigation brought against
them by Mr. Stephen J. Fletcher and Fletcher Flying Services, Inc., currently pending in Collier
Circuit Court; and that a full accounting of all legal costs in this matter be presented to the Board
of County Commissioners for review at the next board meeting.
CONSIDERATIONS: At the December 11-12, 2012 meeting of the Board of County
Commissioners, the Board by majority vote provided that the County Attorney be directed to
negotiate a settlement with the plaintiffs (Fletcher) on behalf of the defendants (Curry/Vergo),
and that the services of the Law Firm of Richard L. Richards (and Jason Goldstein) were not
needed to negotiate such a settlement. It was the intent, as expressed, that this matter move to a
negotiated settlement ahead of any additional hearings, and to mediation if a negotiated
settlement failed. Mr. Richards ultimately agreed with this direction. It was further made clear
that the Law Firm of Richard L. Richards would receive no further compensation in regard to
such settlement negotiations. The purpose of this summary, now before the Board, is to further
recommend that the law firm of Richard L. Richards shall be dismissed and that the County
Attorney shall be substituted as counsel for defendants in all matters relating to this case, not just
the settlement negotiations.
FISCAL IMPACT: Termination of the contract for legal services - payment for services
rendered through December 13, 2012 to the law firm of Richard L. Richards and Jason
Goldstein.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: Substitution of counsel - that the County Attorney shall
represent Defendants Curry and Vergo in the case of Fletcher vs Thomas C. Curry and Thomas
Vergo in all matters related to this case.
RECOMMENDATION: That there be immediate substitution of counsel in the case of Stephen
J. Fletcher vs Thomas C. Curry and Thomas Vergo; that the County Attorney immediately
terminate the services of the Law Firm of Richard L. Richards and Jason Goldstein in the
representation of defendants Thomas C. Curry and Thomas Vergo; that the County Attorney be
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1/8/2013 Item 10.0.
appointed to represent Mr. Curry and Mr. Vergo in the litigation brought against them by Mr.
Stephen J. Fletcher and Fletcher Flying Services, Inc. (currently pending in Collier Circuit
Court); and that a full accounting of all costs in this matter be presented to the Board of County
Commissioners for review at the next board meeting.
PREPARED BY: Commissioner Georgia Hiller, District 2
Chairman Collier County Board of County Commissioners
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1/8/2013 Item 10.0.
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 10.0.
Item Summary: Recommendation that there be immediate substitution of counsel in the
case of Stephen J. Fletcher vs Thomas C. Curry and Thomas Vergo;that the County Attorney
immediately terminate the services of the Law Firm of Richard L. Richards and Jason Goldstein
in the representation of defendants Thomas C. Curry and Thomas Vergo; that the County
Attorney be appointed to represent Mr. Curry and Mr. Vergo in the litigation brought against
them by Mr. Stephen J. Fletcher and Fletcher Flying Services, Inc. (currently pending in Collier
Circuit Court); and that a full accounting of all legal costs in this matter be presented to the
Board of County Commissioners for review at the next board meeting. (Commissioner Hiller)
Meeting Date: 1/8/2013
Prepared By
Name: BrockMaryJo
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager, CMO
12/17/2012 2:41:21 PM
Submitted by
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager, CMO
Name: BrockMaryJo
12/17/2012 2:41:22 PM
Approved By
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney
Date: 12/18/2012 1:45:33 PM
Name: OchsLeo
Title: County Manager
Date: 12/31/2012 12:16:01 PM
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