San Diego County could soon have its own legal pit bull for consumers, as supervisors weigh a proposal to build a dedicated office that would sue polluters, crack down on problematic landlords and challenge insurers over denials and pricing.
The plan, led by Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer, sketches out a compact enforcement shop focused on civil cases that could win back money for residents and, in theory, scare off repeat offenders. Supporters say the county needs its own muscle at a time when federal watchdogs are pulling back and local impacts are piling up.
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the current draft calls for roughly 20 staffers, about 10 of them attorneys, and an annual budget of around $6 million. Lawson-Remer plans to introduce legislation this spring to formally create the office. Backers see civil enforcement against systemic abuses as a way to compensate victims while also changing corporate behavior…