A group of four Archuleta County residents has filed a civil lawsuit against Archuleta County concerning the county’s legal services agreement with Rose Walker Starr LLP.
More specifically, the case concerns former staff attorney Todd Starr now being a contract attorney for the county through the law firm, for which he is now a managing partner.
The civil case was filed against the Archuleta County commissioners and Starr on Oct. 29 and served to the same at the Nov. 4 meeting of the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC). The complaint was filed by Greg Giehl, Stephen Keno, Richy White and David West.
According to the complaint, the county is allegedly in violation of two state statutes due to its contract with the law firm — one concerning interests in contracts and another regarding embezzlement.
Archuleta County contracted with the law firm for legal services following the resignation of Starr, who had served as county attorney since 2009, on Sept. 21.
On Sept. 22, the BoCC held an executive session to discuss Starr’s resignation, and emerged stating that they planned to look into contracting with Starr and his firm for legal services.
On several different days following the executive session, commissioners stated that Starr would still work for the county.
On Oct. 6, the BoCC voted to contract with the law firm for legal services.
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