PANEL URGES $4-MILLION PAYMENT IN DRUG RAID DEATH

LOS ANGELES--A county panel recommended spending $4 million to settle a
wrongful death lawsuit filed by the survivors of millionaire Donald Scott,
who was shot to death in a 1992 raid at his Ventura County ranch by Los
Angeles County sheriff's deputies and federal agents.

The Ventura County district attorney and Scott's widow allege the drug
raid--which turned up no illegal narcotics--was intended to allow federal
and county authorities to seize Scott's 200-acre ranch.

In January, the government agreed to pay $5 million to settle the
long-standing lawsuit.

The federal government will pay $1 million of that total, and the county
will pay the balance.

The county also has spent about $1 million in legal fees on the case, county
documents show. County attorneys wrote that they believe the county has a
"viable" defense but were concerned whether a jury would believe police.

The county's share of the settlement must be approved by the Board of
Supervisors. The issue is scheduled for the board's April 18 meeting.