Judge denies challenge of property tax lawsuit

A Superior Court judge has denied the county assessor’s challenge to a

potential class-action lawsuit.

On Monday, Judge John Watson denied Webster Guillory’s attempts to

limit a property tax case to the original plaintiff.

The case revolves around Rob Pool, a Seal Beach resident who sued the

county for raising his property assessment above the 2% limit mandated by

Proposition 13. Last December, Watson found the county acted illegally in

trying to recapture lost assessment when a home loses value and then

rebounds.

Watson’s denial leaves the door open for a class-action lawsuit. The

plaintiff’s lawyers will be making a motion for class certification in

the future, said attorney Stephen Harris. They are waiting for the county

to finish its research on how many properties may qualify for refunds,

Harris added.