Adam Hill predisposed to not being deposed

October 5, 2016

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill was scheduled to be deposed Friday in a case involving CCN, but the deposition is on hold while Hill mounts a legal battle to stop his requirement to testify under oath.

Charles Tenborg filed a lawsuit against CalCoastNews in 2013, claiming libel. As part of discovery, CCN’s attorneys served Hill with a subpoena for a deposition.

Days before the scheduled deposition — and despite the county not being party to the case —  County Counsel Rita Neal contacted CCN attorneys on behalf of Hill. She claimed Hill had a scheduled meeting, and thus would not be able to attend the deposition. Neal also argued that Hill has no personal knowledge about the lawsuit and should not have to testify.

Several of Tenborg’s claims against CCN are specific to IWMA board issues, including the approval of Tenborg’s contract. Hill is a member of the IWMA board and voted to approve Tenborg’s contract. In addition, Tenborg testified that he spoke with Hill about the lawsuit before he filed his claim, and Hill subsequently sent texts to CalCoastNews advertisers boasting of his involvement in the case.

On Oct. 3, Riverside attorney Douglas Smith sent an ex parte motion seeking to prevent Hill from testifying before CCN attorneys. In the motion, Smith claims Hill is exempt from being deposed because he is a high ranking public official with no personal knowledge of claims in the lawsuit.

The supervisor is seeking a protective order and an order to quash his subpoena.

In Hill’s sworn declaration, he makes multiple grammar and spelling errors, even spelling San Luis Obispo County wrong twice.

Adam Hill’s declaration by CalCoastNews on Scribd