The February 2025 Sequence — Cox v. County of Shasta

1

February 6, 2025

Supervisor Weber orders Cox to file a General Denial. Cox discovers the filing deadline expired January 10 — 30 days earlier. He informs Larmour. Larmour orders him to file anyway. Cox complies under pressure.

2

February 11, 2025

The court strikes the General Denial. A default had already been entered. The outcome was predictable and Cox had predicted it.

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February 11 — onward

Larmour and Weber order Cox to file a Motion to Set Aside the Default — which would require him to submit a false declaration to the court claiming he was responsible for the missed deadline. Cox refuses, citing Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2.1, 1.3, and 3.3, and Business & Professions Code §6068 (the attorney's oath). Abandoning the $179,000 estate property would also defraud Medi-Cal and estate beneficiaries.

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February 20, 2025

Weber issues a written directive ordering Cox to file the motion anyway. Cox refuses again, citing the same ethical obligations. The directive is in writing — on file.

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After February 20

Cox discloses the violations to a government or law enforcement agency — protected conduct under Labor Code §1102.5. Adverse employment actions follow.

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May 28, 2025

Cox is terminated. On the same day, two other county employees are terminated: Laura Stapp (HHSA Deputy Branch Director) and Trisha Boss (HHSA Deputy Branch Director). A public records request asking about all three employees by name was filed within 14 days.