Accused attorney returns to work

Newport Beach City Atty. David Hunt will meet with the City Council in closed session next week to discuss his weekend domestic-violence arrest, City Manager Dave Kiff said Tuesday.

Mayor Keith Curry said he did not know yet what action the city might take.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to David and his family,” Curry said. “We have very incomplete information on this matter. We’re going to move methodically to evaluate all the information before determining how to proceed.”

The city could take disciplinary action against Hunt, according to the city’s employee code, for “misconduct committed when the employee is off duty, including a violation of a criminal law, provided there is a reasonable relationship between the misconduct and the interests of the city or the employee’s duties.”

“We understand David needs time to address some serious issues with his family,” Curry said. “I think the council supports him taking time to resolve those issues.”

Hunt, 52, was back at work Tuesday, two days after police arrested him at his Santa Ana home Sunday on suspicion of felony spousal abuse.

He posted $50,000 bail four hours after his arrest and was released from county jail early Monday.

Santa Ana police have turned over their police report to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the incident, authorities said.

Prosecutors will review the report and consider criminal charges, said Farrah Emami, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office.

Calls to Hunt’s office seeking comment on the incident were referred to the city spokeswoman, Tara Finnigan.

Rodger M. Carey, Hunt’s attorney, could not immediately be reached.

Hunt was arrested Sunday night after he shoved his wife to the ground during an argument with his 18-year-old son, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

As she fell, she cut her arm and hand on furniture, and her head slammed into the tile floor, leaving a large bump on her head, Bertagna said.

Hunt’s son called police, who came to the home and arrested Hunt, officials said.

Hunt and his wife have been married for 27 years, according to county records.