LOS ANGELES : $2.4 Million Awarded in Suit Against Antonovich

A Superior Court jury has awarded just under $2.4 million in punitive damages to a businessman who contends that Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich conspired to influence a judge on behalf of a campaign contributor.

But Antonovich and the county will not have to pay those damages, which were assessed only against the campaign donor, Krikor Suri, his company and its partners under an agreement between all parties.

In exchange for the guarantee of immunity from punitive damages, the county agreed to pay Antonovich’s unspecified share of an earlier award of $1.2 million in compensatory damages. The agreement has sparked controversy because county taxpayers could end up footing Antonovich’s bill for damages.