Councilman’s Ex-Wife to Pay $25,000 in Sex-Case Suit

A Pasadena city councilman’s former wife who pleaded no contest to felony sexual intercourse with a minor has agreed to pay $25,000 to settle a civil suit, according to Leo Terrell, the 15-year-old boy’s attorney.

The suit, which was filed in August 1999, alleged that Michelle Holden initiated various sex acts several times in 1998 with the boy, who was her children’s baby-sitter.

At the time, she was married to Pasadena Councilman Chris Holden. They are now divorced. Michelle Holden, 37, could not be reached for comment. Those close to the Holden family said Thursday that the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing.

In May 1999, Michelle Holden pleaded no contest to a single felony count of having sexual intercourse with a minor. She was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to seek counseling and to undergo random drug testing. With the plea bargain, she avoided having to register as a sex offender.

Last year, she filed for protection from her creditors under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. She declared $1 million in debts and $364,000 in assets.