Private counsel to help consider Newport Beach's options in wake of city attorney's arrest

March 16, 2010 | By KPCC Wire Services | KPCC

NEWPORT BEACH — The Newport Beach City Council will bring in private counsel to help consider what to do about City Attorney David R. Hunt, who was arrested Sunday on suspicion of domestic violence, the mayor said today.

"First of all, our hearts and prayers go out to David and his family,'' Mayor Keith Curry said, adding that the council will consider Hunt's arrest at its next meeting a week from today.

The discussion will occur behind closed doors because it's a personnel issue, Curry said.

"We have incomplete facts in this matter,'' the mayor said. "We need to understand all of the relevant information before moving forward.''

The outside counsel will help city officials avoid any conflicts of interest and consider issues of "due process and employment law'' as it relates to Hunt, Curry said.

"He's obviously got a lot of issues to address in his personal life and we want to give him the opportunity to address those,'' Curry said, stressing that the council has not taken any action as of yet on Hunt's future with the city.

"It's important to note he has the presumption of innocence,'' Curry said.

Hunt succeeded Robin Clauson as city attorney in the fall of 2008 after Clauson retired, Curry said.

Officers were dispatched to Hunt's residence about 8 p.m. Sunday, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said Monday.

"Mr. Hunt and his son were in an argument and the wife went to intervene on behalf of the son and was struck by Mr. Hunt,'' Bertagna said.

"She hit a table, cut her arm open and hit her head on the hardwood floor. She was taken to the hospital and he was taken to jail.''

Hunt had just returned home from a trip and got into a dispute with his son, Bertagna said, adding he did not know what started the argument.

Hunt posted $50,000 bail and was released from jail just after midnight Monday, according to Orange County sheriff's records.

Orange County prosecutors so far have not filed charges against Hunt.

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