Port of Oakland Hires Outside Lawyers for Expenditures Issues

The Port of Oakland hired the Arnold & Porter law firm as independent outside counsel in the on-going investigation of alleged improper expenditures, said acting Executive Director Deborah Ale Flint. She said the firm is "working methodically, and as quickly as responsible and possible," through the issues." Flint said the port also recently refinanced some of its $1.3 billion in outstanding debt, saving it about $9 million a year from 2014 to 2020, "which will help us address increasing costs and over $850 million in unfunded liabilities and capital needs." The port is also negotiating with three of four port unions, and is in impasse proceedings with its largest union, SEIU Local 1021, she said.