Matt Leslie
Ron Thomas, outspoken father of the murdered Kelly Thomas, has taken the trouble to factually correct a post on Fullerton Rag. The May 18 story, entitled What Happened to Police Oversight in Fullerton? suggested that the taxpayers of Fullerton would be in for a multi-million dollar bill if and when Mr. Thomas settles his civil against the city over the death of his son at the hands of the Fullerton Police Department.
Speaking before the Fullerton City Council during the public comments period on May 21, Mr. Thomas made the point that any settlement resulting from his civil suit would be paid by the city’s insurance carrier, and not by the taxpayers of Fullerton. He explained that the $ 1 million settlement already awarded to Kelly Thomas’ mother from her separate legal action over her son’s killing met the deductible for the city’s insurance policy, leaving the insurance company with any future bills related to the case.
Somehow there is little comfort in the fact that we collectively spent $ 1 million for the privilege of shifting the remaining financial burden for an unlawful killing to the city’s insurance company, who will presumably adjust our rates upward henceforth.
fullertonrag.com 
This is what I wrote Tuesday night about this:
Why do people think others do not see through the veiled slap down of another while thinking it puts them on noble ground. Utterly ridiculous to expect anyone to believe that a city is burdened with paying for the first recipient of a civil suit but not the second in the same matter. The reasoning being the first was the deductible covered by the city and thus, whatever the second recipient receives is paid by the city’s insurance. So not to worry, recipient #2 told all Fullertonians tonight he’s the good guy and whatever he gets will not be paid by us.
First of all, and I want to be clear, I support civil suits. In 99% of death or brutality by cops, this is the only justice received. It is also separate from the criminal trials. Finally, many times it’s a means to help provide for the family members left behind.
Regardless if the deductible was paid up with the first recipient, be it 1 or 10, it covered all and the city paid it. So yes, Recipient #2, the city will have forked out money to you if you are awarded anything. Not to mention future rate hikes, etc.
What a shame you don’t know true nobility like Recipient #1, who settled to get away from the circus and not for the money (she cold’ve held out for more if that was the case), who helps at several homeless venues every week without notifying the media, who donates her time and money without the desire for recognition and still works her regular job.
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That writing garnered several conversations with me. I also added a later comment to it:
When she accepted the settlement last year, the media was at the council meeting that night and asked Recipient #2 about it. In front of all the cameras, on all the TV news, he shrugged and said, “maybe she is in it for the money”. My jaw about hit the floor. Tonight, I felt compelled to speak out.
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I’m not in any position to evaluate anyone’s motives, nor do I really care much to contemplate them.
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Good job of covering this, Matt. The conversations others had with me were all in agreement. I’m glad you put it out there.
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You are missing the point Sherri and Matt,
The millions which you may pay to Ron is punitive punishment against the Fullerton taxpayers for electing left-liberal-progressive-socialist into the council.
If you want decent FPD you must elect people which are willing to serve only one term, to prevent need for reelection bribes from unions, and dismantle it
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No, you have missed the point of this specific entry thread. Please stay on topic or wait for a thread that comes your way that interests you. I realize you will want to argue even this but I will not. Have a good evening.
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“I realize you will want to argue even this but I will not”……….. Hmmmmm
The topic is that taxpayers must pay money to Ron and you do not like that!
I am with Ron and you are not and that is upsetting to you.
I hope that he gets at least $100,000,006.00 so you get the message in my comment and next election you vote for Tony Bushala and his friends.
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as a victim of fullerton police department criminal actions, i believe i have a right to comment. my heart goes out to that man, and the piddly fine fullerton paid has done nothing to curb their criminal actions. they are now using their cameras to frame suspects. you will see the footage on tv soon. however, their criminal actions against me go back to 1970. i was a straight A student, an eagle scout, and a sold a mariujuana cigarette to a “friend”. when i was arrested the fullerton PD brought a fullerton news tribune photographer into the booking area and a picture of me appeared on the cover the next day. it was criminal, but my mother was too scared to sue. This criminal action is affecting me today.
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