Assistant Sheriff Faces Lawsuit in Divorce He Handled 2 Years Ago as Private Attorney
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A woman who hired Assistant Sheriff George Jaramillo as her lawyer during a divorce case two years ago has filed a negligence suit against the former practicing attorney, contending he insinuated that she could pay his firm’s bill with sexual favors.
Deborah J. Hegel of San Clemente also claimed that an associate at Jaramillo’s firm was unprepared at her trial and “coerced” her into settling out of court, according to papers filed in the suit.
Jaramillo said the allegations were ludicrous. He went to the woman’s home late at night after she asked him to pick up some money she owed the law firm, but he never made any insinuations, he said.
“My wife was in the car, and there were three or four people there” with Hegel, Jaramillo said. “I would never insinuate anything other than, ‘Give me my money.’ ”
About a year ago, Jaramillo’s firm asked a collection agency to deal with Hegel, who still owes at least $2,000, said Debra Hoffman, a partner in the law firm.
Hoffman dismissed the allegation as the claims of “a woman who is trying to dodge paying legal fees.”
Hegel could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.
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