Labor center fight costly for city

Laguna Beach has spent $75,000 in legal fees to fight opponents of a day-labor center -- more than three times the amount it spends annually to operate the place, according to city records.

The money was spent to successfully defend the city against a lawsuit brought by activists who sought to prevent public spending on the center, City Manager Ken Frank said.

The lawsuit was filed last year in Orange County Superior Court by Eileen Garcia and her husband, George Rivere, who allege that the center helps illegal immigrants find work. The city gives $22,000 annually to the Cross Cultural Council to operate the facility on Laguna Canyon Road.

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-- Jennifer Delson