Liberty Mutual Takes Over Courthouse Again
Insurance Giant Pays $4,306 Fee to Host Private Gala
For the second time in three weeks, national insurance giant Liberty Mutual has rented out the entire Santa Barbara County Courthouse for a night to host a private gala celebrating the achievements of about 500 of its highest performing salespeople and their spouses. For its first night, Liberty Mutual paid the County of Santa Barbara $3,431 for exclusive use of the Sunken Garden and the entire courthouse exterior. For this past Sunday’s event, the fee was $4,306. Although Liberty Mutual paid for one day each time, the courthouse property was effectively off limits to the public for several days as crews prepared for the festivities. County Parks czar Herman Parker said he knows of no other corporate events slated for the courthouse this summer. In the past month, Lexus has leased out the Lobero Theatre for a similar celebration of corporate achievement, and the County Bowl has been leased for an event next week.
