| MOUNTAINTOPTIMES MAY 4, 2024 |
The California Attorney General’s Office will not be taking action against Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie A. Bridgett for allocating a substantial amount of the $50 million Zogg Fire settlement with PG& E to the Children’s Legacy Center where she sits on as a board member.
Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie A. Bridgett is Board Member and Secretary of the Childrens Legacy Center nonprofit 501(c)3, that according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics focuses on “Youth Development / Alliance / Advocacy Organizations. The CLC Board also includes Redding Counselwoman Erin Resner and Shasta County Sheriff Michael Johnson.
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A September 27, 2020 fire that burned 56,000 acres was reported to have started by a tree hitting PG&E power lines along Zogg Mine Road in north of the Shasta County rural town of Igo, Ono California. The blaze killed four people, injured 64 others, destroyed 204 structures, and damaged an additional 27 buildings.
Cal Attorney General Review of Shasta DA Finds No Basis for Further Action
The Shasta District Attorney filed a criminal complaint against PG&E, which was settled for $50 million on May, 30, 2023. The settlement funded 24 local community entities including the expected $15.5 million to Shasta County Fire Department, $3.5 million to Anderson and Redding fire departments, $2.5 million to Haven Humane Society, $2.4 million to Shasta College Fire Academy, and $1 million for Whiskeytown Environmental School.
But surprise to residents burned out by the Zogg Fire, the second largest recipient of the PG&E settlement was $7 million to the Children’s Legacy Center that is 20 miles away from Igo Ono.
Following an August of 2023 referral of District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett by Shasta County Board of Supervisors regarding potential for a conflict of interest, the California State Attorney General Rob Bonta conducted a thorough investigation of the decision to allocate criminal and civil settlement funds “under the abuse of discretion standard” that asks whether any reasonable prosecutor aware of the same facts could have come to the same as the Shasta District Attorney.
The California Attorney General’s Office said, “After thoroughly reviewing the court records, available reports, and information about the settlement, our conclusion is that the District Attorney did not abuse her discretion in dismissing criminal charges and instead reached a significant civil settlement.”
The A.G. added, “There was no evidence of misconduct or impropriety in how the settlement was reached” and therefore Shasta District Attorney Stephanie A. Bridgett did not violate Government Code section 1090 and therefore the A.G would not be taking any further action.
Chairman of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors Kevin Crye commented on AG Bonta’s no action letter, “I am grateful to the people of Igo Ono for stepping forward, bringing this issue to the Board of Supervisors and asking for help with this matter. That’s what we are ultimately here for.”
