Ex-Duffy Aide Off the Hook for Legal Fees

A Superior Court jury has determined that a sheriff’s lieutenant was not personally responsible for $36,000 worth of legal fees the American Civil Liberties Union won in a 1986 lawsuit against Sheriff John Duffy.

Lt. John Tenwolde, who worked as Duffy’s public affairs spokesman at the time of the lawsuit, co-signed on a $36,000 loan with Duffy to pay the ACLU after the organization won a lawsuit that accused Duffy of misusing his office.

Duffy had on-duty deputies distribute postcards as part of a campaign to remove former Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird from the state Supreme Court. A Superior Court judge ruled in 1986 that Duffy engaged in illegal political activity.

Duffy was ordered to pay the ACLU’s attorney fees and forwarded the bill to the county. County attorneys refused, saying that taxpayers are not liable for the costs because Duffy’s conduct was outside the scope of his official duties.

Tenwolde co-signed on the loan because he played a major role in distributing the anti-Bird cards, but he sued the county to recoup the money. The loan to Duffy and Tenwolde was made by William Cowling II, Charles Cono and the late Arthur Bloom--all of whom were members of the San Diego County Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Assn. Duffy failed to report the loan on his statement of economic interest, as required by state law.

Tenwolde said he was gratified by the verdict. “The jury found I was essentially performing my duty,” he said.