HomeMy WebLinkAboutA8950 - JONATHON KALLIS CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSIONSETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS
This Settlement Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and between JONATHAN
KALLIS (hereinafter "PLAINTIFF") and CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, SERGEANT STJERNE,
OFFICER MOSS, and OFFICER ESCALLADA, (hereinafter "DEFENDANTS") PLAINTIFF
and DEFENDANTS shall collectively be referred to as the "Parties."
RECITALS
I. On August 28, 2020, PLAINTIFF filed a complaint against DEFENDANTS in Case
No 5:20-cv-01744RGK-SP in the United States District Court Central District of California ("the
Lawsuit"). A First Amended Complaint was filed thereafter. DEFENDANTS deny the allegations
-
2. All parties wish to settle fully and finally all controversies and differences arising out
of PLAINTIFF'S claims.
AGREEMENT
Therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Parties agree as
follows:
1. Payment. IN EXCHANGE FOR THE RELEASE OF ALL NAMED AND
UNNAMED DEFENDANTS IN THE MATTER OF Case No. 5 20-cv-01744-RGK-SP The City
of Palm Springs shall PAY THE FOLLOWING: to PLAINTIFF the sum of Thirty -Nine Thousand
and Zero Dollars and Zero Cents (S39,000-00) ("Settlement Amount") The settlement check to
PLAINTIFF will be made payable to Carter Law Firm, APC Client Trust Account, Federal Tax
1D No. 84-4714474 to the amount of $39,000.00. Payment of the Settlement Amount shall be paid
and delivered via certified mail within 10 business days of all Parties signing the Agreement or
October I, 2021, whichever date is earlier PLAINTI F and his attorney shall provide an
appropriate W-9 form to DEFENDANTScounsel of record upon request
2. Dismiyyllj Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41, and current with signing
this Agreement, the Parties shall sign a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice of the Lawsuit
("Stipulation") PLAINTIFF shall file the Stipulation within 10 business days of all Parties signing
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
55575. iOO2NN296363 2
this Agreement or October I, 2021, which date is earlier. The Parties acknowledge that such
dismissal shall have res judicata effect and agree to waive any right they may have to file an appeal
therefrom or otherwise pursue an appeal in the Lawsuit
3. Release and Waiver. PLAINTIFF being of lawful age, for himself in his
representative and individual capacity, his heirs, executors administrators, successors,
beneficiaries, and assigns, HEREBY RELEASES, ACQUITS AND FOREVER DISCHARGES
the DEFENDANTS as well as their agents, servants, successors, heirs, executors, employees,
employers, beneficiaries, administrators, attorneys and all other persons, firms, corporations.
subsidiaries, associations or partnerships, or any other entity connected therewith, of and from any
and all past or present claims, actions, causes of action, demands, rights, damages, obligations,
costs, loss of service, expenses and/or compensation, of any nature whatsoever whether based in
tort, contract or other theory of recovery, which the undersigned PLAINTIFF now has or which
may hereafter accrue to the undersigned PLAINTIFF on account of, or in any way growing out of,
any and all known or unknown, foreseen and unforeseen, injuries and/or damages and the
consequences resulting there from, the incidents, casualty or events which occurred on or about
July 17, 2019, in the City of Palm Springs, and which has resulted in a claim and/or lawsuit being
brought by the undersigned PLAINTIFF and against DEFENDANTS as described in the Lawsuit,
and the individuals and entities involved in the negotiations between the parties before and after
the filing of the action, all of which are released hereunder, including any potential claims, and all
attorneys' fees and costs
4. RML Upon signing this Agreement, PLAINTIFF hereby relinquishes and
abandons any and all claims of ownership and/or title in the Smith and Wesson M&P 15 rifle,
serial number SZ02387 ("Rifle") mentioned in the Lawsuit Upon the signing of this Agreement
by all Parties, the City shall proceed with the destruction of the Rifle
5 New Facts and La rt PLAINTIFF understands that if the facts giving rise to this
Agreement are found later to be other or different from the facts now believed by him to be true,
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
2
55575 1002?U42963632
or if new facts or law come to the attention of the Parties, or any of them, they accept and assume
the risk of such possible difference in the facts or law, and PLAINTIFF agrees that the release
above shall be and remain effective, notwithstanding such different or new facts or law
6. Attornev's E"s and Cqjtc. The Parties agree that each side will bear then own
attorney's fees and costs. Each Party waives the right, if any, to recover attorney's fees and costs
from the other Party or Parties.
Liens. The undersigned PLAINTIFF acknowledges that there are no liens or other
claims of third parties and agree to hold harmless and indemnify DEFENDANTS, their attorneys
and agents, of any and all liens or other claims of third parties which may be asserted for services
which have been or may be rendered on behalf of the undersigned and relating to the injuries,
damages, and consequences of the events which occurred in the City of Palm Springs and which
resulted in a claim and the lawsuit described as Case No 5 20-cv-01744-RGK-SP.
& No Inducement The undersigned PLAINTIFF agrees that they have received no
inducement, promise, or offer of any kind whatsoever for the consideration delineated
hereinabove, and that this Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims is executed without
neliance on any statement or representation by those released or their representatives, or anyone,
other than the sole consideration descnbed herein
No Admission of Liabilit. It is understood and agreed that this settlement is the
compromise of a disputed claim and that the consideration fumished is not to be construed as an
admission of liability on the part of those released, and that those parties have denied liability on
the claim herein and intend merely to avoid litigation and buy their peace by this compromise
DEFENDANTS specifically disclaim any liability for any wrongful acts against PLAINTIFF or
any other person on the part of themselves, their employees, agents, and/or representatives in
connection with the events that occurred in the City of Palm Springs and as alleged in the Lawsuit
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
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55575 IOD27134296363 2
10 Final Agreement The compromise and settlement which forms the basis of this
Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims has been arrived at after thorough bargaining
and negotiation and represents a final, mutually agreeable compromise
11, WaiverofCivil Code 6 1542 PLAINTIFF agreesthat all rights under Section 1542
of the Civil Code of the State of California and of any similar provision of federal law are hereby
expressly waived. Section 1542 reads as follows
"A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does
not know or suspect to exist in his/her favor at the time of executing
the release, which if known by him[her must have materially
affected his/her settlement with the debtor "
Thus, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1542, and for the purpose of implementing a full
and complete Release, Plaintiffs acknowledge that this Settlement Agreement and Release
contemplates the extinguishment of any and all of then claims in connection with the events that
occurred in the City of Palm Springs and as alleged in the Lawsuit
12 Entire Agreement. The undersigned PLAINTIFF agrees that this Settlement
Agreement and Release of All Claims contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto
and that the terms of this release are contractual and not a mere recital.
13. Binding Effect. PLAINTIFF represents and warrants that no other persons) or
entities had any interest in the claims, demands, obligations, or causes of action referred to in this
Agreement, that PLAINTIFF has the sole right and exclusive authority to enter into this
Agreement, and that PLAINTIFF has not sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed, or otherwise
disposed of any of the claims, demand, obligations, or causes of action referred to in this
Agreement.
14, Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any portion is
found to be unenforceable, the other paragraphs shall remain in full force and effect
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
4
55575 1MNU206363.2
15. Entire Agreement. This Settlement Agreement and Release of all Claims contains
the entire agreement between the Parties and fully supersedes any prior agreements or
understandings between the Parties.
16, Enforcement Each party to this Agreement reserves the right to enforce this
Agreement whether in equity or otherwise. In the event that there is a dispute as to whether any
Party has breached any of the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to
reasonable costs and attorneys' fees. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of California.
17 Negotiated Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that the terms of this Agreement,
including the waiver and release described above, were negotiated and drafted by the Parties with
the assistance of counsel. Accordingly, any rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguity
is to be construed against the drafting party shall not apply to the interpretation of this Agreement
18 Counterparts The Parties hereto, and each of them, further agree that this
Settlement Agreement and Release of all Claims may be executed in duplicate counterparts
19 Assistance of Counsel. The undersigned PLAINTIFF further agrees that they have
read and fully understand this Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims and that the
opportunity has been afforded to discuss the terms and contents of said Release with legal counsel
and/or that such a discussion with legal counsel has occurred.
CAUTION: READ BEFORE SIGNING
DATED:
I ATHAN KALLIS
DATED CR(f7/UZ.I
SERGEA RNE
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
5
55575 1002AM296363 2
DATED: 011Za Z1
DATED:
r3f=
OFFICER MOSS
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CONTENT:
DATED: _ 1 / ( 3/z (
DATED: 9113f2021
55575.10027%34296363 2
CARTER LAW FIRM, APC
By: Z24 C�
Corey Carter, Esq.
Attorneys of Record for PLAINTIFF,
Jonathan Kallis
BEST BEST R. KRIEGER uLP.,
By:
Av1 Rutschman, E .
Attorneys of Record for DEFENDANTS,
City of Palm Springs, Sergeant Kyle Stjeme,
Officer William Moss and Officer Edman
Escallada
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
6
DATED:
DATED: _ q// 7 LZ 1
DATED:
OFFICER ESCALLADA �~
OFFICER MOSS
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CONTENT:
DATED: l Z
DATED: 9/13/2021
sssrs.iooi I
CARTER LAW FIRM, APC
By:
Corey Carter, Esq.
Attorneys of Record for PLAINTIFF,
Jonathan Kallis
BEST BEST & KRIEGER
0
Attorneys of Record for DEFENDANTS,
City of Palm Springs, Sergeant Kyle Stjeme,
Officer William Moss and Officer Edman
Escallada
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
6
DATED:
DATED:
DATED:
OFFICER ESCALLADA A ST6
Clerk q /24
OFFICER MOSS
CITY OF PALM SP GS
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CONTENT:
DATED: 13 Z
DATED: 9/13/2021
55535.100271342%363.2
wD aY CITY COUNCIL
ClDaed S2sSID n "� A I wzl
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CARTER LAW FIRM, APC
By: -- '
Corey Carter, Esq.
Attorneys of Record for PLAINTIFF,
Jonathan Kallis
BES7m;
P
By:
Avi Rutschman, Eft.
Attorneys of Record for DEFENDANTS,
City of Palm Springs, Sergeant Kyle Stjeme,
Officer William Moss and Officer Edman
Escallada
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
6
Monique Lomeli
From:
Jeff Ballinger <Jeff.BaIlinger@bbklaw.com>
Sent:
Monday, September 20, 2021 11:27 AM
To:
Anthony Mejia; Monique Lomeli
Subject:
Kallis - Settlement Agreement
Attachments:
PS_KALLIS - Settlement Agreement - Fully-executed-c1.PDF
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are
sure the content is safe.
Anthony,
For the City's records. This was approved by Council in closed session on Sept. 9.
Jeff Ballinger
(909) 528-9400
Begin forwarded message:
From: Julia Hernandez <Julia.Hernandez@bbklaw.com>
Date: September 20, 2021 at 11:08:33 AM PDT
To: Avi Rutschman <Avi.Rutschman@bbklaw.com>, Jeff Ballinger <Jeff.BalIinger@bbklaw.com>, Richard
Egger <Richard.Egger@bbklaw.com>
Subject: RE: Kallis - Settlement Agreement
Good morning,
Here is the fully -executed settlement agreement to send to plaintiff's counsel. It is
saved in Agreements in Manage.
Thank you,
Julia
From: Avi Rutschman <Avi.Rutschman@bbklaw.com>
Sent: Monday, September 20, 20219:22 AM
To: Jeff Ballinger <Jeff.Ball inger@bbklaw.com>; Richard Egger <Richard.Egger@bbklaw.com>
Cc: Julia Hernandez <Julia.Hernandez@bbklaw.com>
Subject: Kallis - Settlement Agreement
Jeff, Rich —
All of the parties have signed the settlement agreement in Kallis. I will coordinate with Corey to have a
notice of settlement filed with the court.
Jeff — do I need to coordinate with finance re production and transmission of the check? The City
Manager signed last Wednesday, which triggered the clock (10 business days to get check to Corey).
Julia — Can you compile the settlement and signature pages into a single master document for our
records and a final version that I can send to Plaintiff's attorney? Thanks.
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