Superior Court Affirms San Francisco Sheriff's Department's Electronic Monitoring and Case Management Contract with G4S Justice Services

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- G4S Justice Services, LLC (G4S), the premier provider of advanced monitoring services, has won a complete victory in the San Francisco County Superior Court over plaintiff Leaders in Community Alternatives, Inc. (LCA) regarding the provision of electronic monitoring and case management for detainees of the San Francisco Sheriff's Department (SFSD). Assisted by the law firm Duane Morris LLP, G4S defeated accusations that it won its contract with SFSD through inappropriate bidding practices.

In July 2008, a panel of SFSD evaluators ranked G4S first among five companies bidding on the electronic monitoring and case management contract with SFSD. The selection process included a review of substantial written materials, in-person interviews, reference contacts and equipment testing. Performance under the contract required 24-hour electronic monitoring of non-violent offenders through case management, GPS electronic monitoring, drug testing and alcohol testing. SFSD awarded the contract to G4S based on its competitive pricing and proven ability to meet the contract's substantial requirements. G4S has provided electronic monitoring and case management services to SFSD since the department awarded the contract in 2008.

Linda Connelly, president and CEO of LCA, the previous provider of electronic monitoring and case management services to SFSD, made no less than four attempts to overturn the contract award by pursuing administrative channels of appeal within SFSD. Each time, SFSD reviewed and denied the appeals. Dissatisfied with SFSD's conclusions, LCA then filed a lawsuit against G4S.

LCA sued G4S on several counts, including claims that G4S intentionally interfered with LCA's existing contractual relations and prospective economic relations with SFSD. The trial court dismissed five of LCA's claims before trial. Following a two-week bench trial in which several witnesses testified from G4S, LCA and SFSD, the trial court dismissed LCA's remaining two claims, finding that "G4S did not intentionally interfere" with any contracts between LCA and SFSD, either current or future. The court further determined that "G4S only engaged in fair competition."

Rather than award LCA the several million dollars in damages sought, the trial court ordered LCA to pay the legal costs G4S incurred from the dispute.

Michael Reitzell was lead trial counsel for G4S, assisted by associate Allegra Jones, both of Duane Morris LLP's San Francisco office. Scott Brown and David Poore of Brown | Poore LLP represented LCA. LCA has not indicated whether it will appeal the decision.     

Darryl Martin, president of G4S Justice Services, had the following comment: "As the San Francisco Sheriff's Department determined during the 2008 bidding process, G4S Justice Services is a proven leader in providing electronic monitoring and case management services to public safety agencies across the country. As the San Francisco County Superior Court has declared, G4S engaged in fair competitive practices in winning this contract. We look forward to continuing to deliver on our public safety promise to the Sheriff and the people of San Francisco."

About G4S Justice Services

G4S Justice Services, LLC, part of G4S Care and Justice Services, is the premier provider of advanced monitoring services. By delivering world-class customer service, developing state-of-the-art technology and significantly enhancing public safety, G4S delivers proven value to its customers and their communities. With hundreds of customer deployments across the country and around the world and its comprehensive suite of electronic monitoring products and services, G4S is uniquely capable of meeting a customer's local requirements while leveraging the industry's only fully staffed, fully redundant monitoring centers.

For more information, visit www.g4s.com/justice.

About Duane Morris

Duane Morris LLP, a full-service law firm with more than 700 attorneys, in 23 offices in the United States and internationally, offers innovative solutions to the legal and business challenges presented by today's evolving global markets. For more information about Duane Morris, please visit www.duanemorris.com. 

SOURCE G4S Justice Services, LLC