Mayor-Publisher to Pay Back City for Ads

Santa Paula Mayor Don Johnson has agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused him of violating conflict-of-interest laws because his newspaper profited from city business.

Johnson, who owns the twice-weekly Santa Paula Times, announced he will reimburse the city $37,953, the amount the paper received for legal notices, advertising and subscriptions in the 3 1/2 years since he was elected to the council.

Johnson said he will repay the amount within 30 days after all parties have approved a settlement in the case. A court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30.

Richard Francis, a Ventura attorney and leader of the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiatives, filed the suit on behalf of Santa Paula resident John Stockdill after Johnson declined to run a notice for the growth-control measure. Johnson said he refused the notice because the council was set to vote on whether to place the issue on the ballot.

In a letter published this week in the Santa Paula Times, Johnson said he was unaware he was wrong to accept paid advertisements from the city.

Stockdill, a SOAR supporter, said he is happy with Johnson’s decision.

Still unresolved, however, is another part of the lawsuit that alleges Councilman Jim Garfield also violated conflict-of-interest regulations.