Report: Legislation Could Spare Gold Line Board Members from Lawsuit

A state senator has drafted legislation that would officially allow board members on the Gold Line Construction Authority to serve on the board and in other elected positions following a lawsuit from a Monrovia property owner challenging their appointments, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported Wednesday.

George Brokate of Excalibur Holdings filed a lawsuit with the Attorney General's office because they simultaneously serve as city council members in several local cities. Brokate's lawyers argue that the members cannot legally hold both offices.

A representative of State Senator Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) told the Tribune that the legislation was drafted to clarify the law and make sure the Gold Line Foothill Extension moves forward.

"All but two of the members would be prohibited from serving (if the lawsuit is successful), and it would severely delay the project. Senator Hernandez does not want to see that delay happen. We want to see this fixed," said Rob Charles, Hernandez's district director, to the Tribune.

An attorney for Brokate told the Tribune that the legislature has the power to pass the exemption for the GLCA board members but that he intends to lobby legislators and ask that they oppose the bill.