As the disgraceful and costly actions of Rancho Santa Margarita (RSM) continue to unfold, residents of Laguna Niguel are left asking: Why is our City Council choosing to follow them off the same financial cliff?
In a scenario nearly identical to RSM’s mishandling of a California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) demand, Laguna Niguel had the opportunity to take the financially responsible path. The City was presented with a “safe harbor” provision that would have capped attorney’s fees at approximately $38,000—a clearly manageable and predictable cost.
Not only did Laguna Niguel choose the safe harbor route initially, but it even went a step further: the City entered into a settlement agreement with the CVRA attorney who issued the demand letter. In exchange for a 90-day extension on the legal deadlines set by the safe harbor, Laguna Niguel agreed to comply with the demands and move to district-based elections.
So what happened? Why the breach of commitment? Why the sudden departure from fiscal common sense?
Cue the outside legal consultants. The law firm representing Laguna Niguel—Best, Best & Krieger—teamed up with Nielsen Merksamer, the firm used by RSM, in a recent failed CVRA-related case in the City of Ontario. That collaboration also resulted in a financial and strategic debacle. Is this same duo now guiding Laguna Niguel into its own legal and financial disaster?
It’s not a stretch to question whether these firms are influencing what now looks like an intentional detour into unnecessary litigation and ballooning legal fees. But more troubling is the blind acceptance of this strategy by Laguna Niguel’s elected officials. Is this a case of weak leadership, or are these councilmembers simply incapable of performing a basic cost-benefit analysis?
Let’s break this down:
- Pay $38,000 under safe harbor and settle the matter quickly and predictably
OR - Breach your own agreement, spark a legal fight, and expose the City to legal fees that could exceed $500,000 or more
There is no justification for this recklessness. City leaders chose to go to districts. They chose to enter into a settlement agreement. And now, they want to pretend those decisions didn’t happen—all while sending the bill to the very residents who entrusted them with public funds.
It is political and fiscal malpractice, plain and simple. Playing politics with taxpayer money is shameful. Laguna Niguel residents should not have to pay the price for ego-driven legal battles, especially when those funds could be going toward parks, beautification efforts, enhanced public safety, or youth and senior programs.
City leaders need to be held accountable before they drag Laguna Niguel into the same fiscal sinkhole already opened by Rancho Santa Margarita. Enough with the waste. Enough with the excuses. You were elected to protect the public interest—not to burn public money in a losing legal war.
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