Sam Williams, Publisher, LassenNews.com
Val DeMars, a Rainbow Family Gathering member, has filed a $25,000 claim against Lassen County prior to filing a civil lawsuit alleging Lassen County District 5 Supervisor Jason Ingram “used the title of his office and Lassen County resources to attempt to intimidate and coerce Rainbow Gathering participants from exercising our rights guaranteed by the laws and constitutions of the United States and California.”
The claim alleges Ingram “initiated a publicity campaign of citizen opposition” to the gathering and “summoned local citizens” to go to the site and protest the event. Ingram allegedly “used a machete to destroy” gravity water pipes and he and his companions used “derogatory statements and threatening body language” during the water pipe vandalism.
The claim also alleges Ingram “abused his title of office” to “conspire with Plumas National Forest Supervisor Chris Carlton to issue a closure order for the purpose of depriving Rainbow Gathering participants from exercise of our rights. Federal criminal defense litigation is pending … ”
When Lassen News contacted Ingram Friday, Dec. 20, for comment on this story, he said he was unaware of the claim, filed Dec. 18 with the Lassen County Clerk.
“Insofar as any claims are concerned, unfortunately I am unable to comment on something I have not seen or been informed about by Lassen County CAO Richard Egan,” Ingram said.
Ingram asked how Lassen News learned of the claim. We learned of the claim from Richard Egan, Lassen County administrative officer, who referred us to the county clerk’s office.
“It’s regrettable that he (Egan) has chosen not to keep me apprised of this matter, and I hope that in the future, he and our next county CAO choose to communicate concerns or matters such as these to the persons involved as easily as they do to journalists at Lassen News,” Ingram said. “Transparency should be the priority of our next CAO.”
The claim is filed against Lassen County and not personally against Ingram.
