The top county lawyer who abruptly retired last week is heading out the door with a big payout.

Our Lisa Halverstadt revealed that former County Counsel Claudia Silva, whose departure was announced after a hastily scheduled performance review, signed a deal calling for her to receive at least a $535,000 severance this month.

Documents released to Voice of San Diego after a records request show Silva will also maintain county-backed health insurance coverage for 18 months and receive separate lump sums for unused vacation and sick time.

Worth Noting: Silva’s separation agreement comes with more lucrative terms than the contract she signed when she was appointed the county’s top lawyer in 2022.

Reminder: Silva’s sudden departure followed the swearing-in of South Bay Supervisor Paloma Agu

See Full Page