Nueces County approves small employee settlement and signs onto statewide opioid and Volkswagen settlements

CORPUS CHRISTI — In actions taken after an executive session on July 12, the Nueces County Commissioners Court approved several settlement steps and authorized counsel to execute documents.

Commissioner Gonzales moved to approve a settlement of $5,531.98 for a claim by Juan Pimentel dated Jan. 28, 2023. The motion specified the payment was "contingent upon him signing of all settlement and release documents and authorize the issuance of payment once all documents are executed." The court approved the settlement and directed the county auditor and county clerk to expedite payment once the release is signed.

The court also voted to participate in the statewide Texas opioid litigation settlements negotiated by the Texas Office of the Attorney General with pharmacy defendants CVS, Walgreens and Walmart and authorized the county attorney and outside counsel to execute the necessary participation and release documents on behalf of the county.

Separately, the commissioners approved the settlement offer in Volkswagen Clean Diesel litigation and authorized execution of settlement documents as recommended by outside counsel.

Commissioners said they relied on legal advice presented in executive session for the settlements and authorized the county attorney's office to sign required documents to finalize participation and release forms.

What happens next: County counsel and the county attorney's office will execute the signed release for the employee settlement and submit the paperwork to the auditor and clerk for payment processing. Counsel will also complete and sign the participation and release documents for the opioid and Volkswagen settlements as authorized by the court.

Reported segments: Actions announced after executive session (Nueces County Commissioners Court, July 12, 2023).