Santa Rosa's court costs rise as police captain fights for job back

Santa Rosa's legal bills continue to rise in the lawsuit brought by a former police captain.

The City Council on Tuesday approved an additional $100,000 to fight the federal lawsuit brought by Jamie Mitchel, who was fired in 2008.

The increase was needed because Mitchel recently won a round in his four-year fight to get his job back. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals this month ruled partially in his favor, sending the case back to the U.S. District Court for further hearings.

Mitchel claims he was unfairly dismissed, his privacy rights were violated and he was discriminated against because he is a white man. He also claims his arbitration hearing, which ruled in the city's favor, was improperly handled.

The council approved paying law firm Littler Mendelson up to $100,000, for a total of $300,000 to date. If fully spent, that would bring the total cost of fighting Mitchel's arbitration and lawsuit to more than $650,000.