San Diego, California – The case of Mickail Myles against the County of San Diego has emerged as one of the most shocking and costly lawsuits in the county’s history. The incident began with a routine traffic stop ten years ago and escalated into allegations of excessive force, racial bias, and a lack of accountability within the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. Myles, who is Black, was pulled over, handcuffed, and beaten by a sheriff’s deputy. The same deputy then unleashed his police dog on Myles, despite other deputies testifying that Myles had been cooperating.
In the ensuing civil rights lawsuit, San Diego County’s lawyers were accused of withholding critical evidence from the plaintiff’s legal team and violating a judicial order during the jury trial. The judge even concluded that the County Counsel’s Office had acted in bad faith. Myles ultimately won a $5 million jury award against the county.
This case is one of many recent lawsuits that have cost San Diego County taxpayers over $60 million for misconduct, excessive use of force, negligence, and other deputy misconduct. These costs do not even include the expenses of outside lawyers hired by the County Counsel’s Office. The county’s budget for these cases has risen nearly 50 percent since the 2017-18 budget year.
The questionable actions of San Diego County officials did not stop there. Court documents revealed that the county hired private investigators to surveil Myles and his lawyers, potentially in an attempt to uncover damaging information or coerce a settlement. Myles’ lawyers also alleged that the county threatened him with responsibility for their legal costs if he did not settle.
San Diego County is no stranger to such lawsuits. The Sheriff’s Department, which has a history of disproportionately targeting people of color, has been a defendant in nearly 100 cases. These lawsuits, coupled with legal fees and court costs, have resulted in significant financial burdens for the county.
While elected officials often grapple with whether to settle or contest legal complaints, the full extent of the consequences faced by San Diego County employees has yet to be determined. Cases like Myles’ highlight the issue of excessive force by law enforcement and the use of legal tactics to hinder plaintiffs. The county’s preference for fighting lawsuits rather than settling them has proven costly, and the financial and broader damages of these actions are still being calculated.
Myles’ case serves as a stark reminder of the impact of government officials’ decisions and their potential disregard for financial consequences. The county’s significant financial obligations to settle these lawsuits suggest that officials may be more cavalier with other people’s money. With numerous pending lawsuits against the Sheriff’s Department, the costs to San Diego County and its taxpayers continue to mount. The outcome of Myles’ case remains uncertain as the county appeals the jury award and attorney fees.