San Diego, Calif. — The sudden retirement of the county’s chief legal officer, Claudia Silva, is set to result in a substantial financial payout of at least $535,000. This figure comes after Silva signed an agreement shortly before her departure, which will take effect when her paid leave ends on August 22.
Official documents indicate that the settlement will provide Silva with a lump sum payment equivalent to 18 months of her nearly $363,000 annual salary. However, the county plans to deduct more than $9,000 from this amount to cover her share of health insurance benefits, which will continue for the next 18 months. In addition to this lump sum, Silva is entitled to receive compensation for any unused vacation days and potentially a portion of her unused sick leave, which she can redirect to her pension.
In return for these financial terms, Silva has agreed to release the county from any liability associated with her abrupt exit. Her severance package is more favorable than the terms outlined in her initial contract signed in 2022, which stipulated a minimum payout of 12 months’ salary in the event of termination.
Silva’s future was called into question after a last-minute performance review, which took place just one day after the county’s Board of Supervisors achieved a Democratic majority with the swearing-in of Supervisor Paloma Aguirre. Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer initiated the review but had not responded to inquiries about the circumstances surrounding it.
County spokesperson Tammy Glenn characterized Silva’s situation as a “confidential personnel matter” and expressed gratitude for Silva’s nearly nine years of service. Supervisor Joel Anderson commented on the departure, describing it as a significant loss for his constituents.
Silva’s exit occurs amid ongoing legal issues for the county, including a lawsuit from former county executive Michael Vu. Vu alleges that Lawson-Remer obstructed his path to the county’s top leadership position through a purportedly illegal arrangement involving Aguirre’s Chief of Staff. This controversy has drawn attention to Silva, particularly due to a contentious email from a previous county administrative officer regarding the alleged deal, which is now part of the legal proceedings.
Vu’s attorney, Chip Edelson, has indicated an interest in securing Silva’s deposition, emphasizing the importance of her testimony concerning whether the email in question could be considered a complaint regarding illegal activities rather than a request for legal advice.
As County Counsel, Silva was instrumental in managing the county’s responses to various lawsuits, including cases related to deaths in county jails. This week, the county faces the potential of being sanctioned by a federal judge for failing to preserve critical surveillance footage linked to an incident of in-custody death from 2022.
Despite receiving a positive evaluation and a raise just last December, Silva now departs the county. Her future and the implications of her resignation continue to unfold as the county navigates its legal and political landscape.
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