The old opposition returned to the offensive at the City Council on Monday night when Herbert Broking, longtime boyfriend of ex-Councilmember Carolyn van Horn, took the podium and hurled accusations at Councilmember Sharon Barovsky.
Broking said he opposes Barovsky’s involvement in the decision-making process pertaining to the installation of new city attorney Christi Hogin. Hogin was recently chosen to be the new city attorney as of June by councilmembers Jeff Jennings, Ken Kearsley and Barovsky.
Broking claimed that Hogin and Barovsky had worked hand-in-hand to obtain a settlement from the city for a claim that Barovsky had made eight years ago.
According to Broking, then city attorney Hogin pushed the council to settle with Barovsky for $80,000, but the agreement was removed from City Hall files.
“The suspicious nature of this contract raised many questions,” said Broking. “Barovsky should recuse herself from any vote involving Christi Hogin.”
As he spoke about the lawsuit and settlement that Barovsky had against the city for injuries incurred while she was on a city worksite in the early ’90s, Broking said, “This type of arrangement is unheard of in any city.”
“I’ve got documents for everything I said, but I did not find the settlement agreement,” said Broking.
Hogin, who was the city attorney for Malibu in the ’90s, was fired from that position about two years ago, Broking charged.
“I was confounded by the questions of what unique qualifications Ms. Hogin possessed to merit a raise of more than double her previous salary for a position from which she had once been fired,” said Broking, regarding Hogin’s recent appointment.
In response to Broking’s accusations, Barovsky said, “Your facts are so wrong that it borders on slander.
“I’m offended by your innuendoes, but I will tell my attorney to release all records for accuracy’s sake,” she said.
Councilmember Kearsley echoed Barovsky’s comments. “Have you no shame?” he asked.
“These innuendoes are uncalled for, it makes me sick and I’m sorry to see this,” he said in defense of his co-councilmember.
In a later interview, Barovsky indicated the city did not pay anywhere near $80,000, as Broking had stated. “He is right that I asked to have physical therapy paid,” she said.
Barovsky confirmed that she put in a call to her attorney so Broking can access any and all records having to do with her injury.
“I never discussed and never had any conversation with Hogin regarding this matter or regarding this settlement,” she said.
“Eight years ago, I had never had a conversation with Hogin about anything outside of the forum of the General Plan Task Force,” said the councilmember.
“His facts are so inaccurate, this is purely political, this is the same group that went after Hogin before, and they are trying to go after her again and I just happen to be the icing on their cake,” added Barovsky.
“After Mr. Broking has bothered to look at the facts; I will expect a public apology from him.”