UPDATE: In a shocking revelation during ongoing court proceedings, former Los Angeles Angels communications head Tim Mead admitted to searching the desk of his former employee Eric Kay for drugs on three separate occasions. This admission came as part of the wrongful death civil suit filed by the family of Tyler Skaggs, who tragically died in 2019 from an overdose linked to Kay’s actions.
The testimony unfolded in Santa Ana, California, where Mead took the stand as the trial’s first witness. He disclosed that the searches were conducted while he harbored suspicions about Kay’s potential substance abuse, particularly in the wake of Skaggs’ fatal overdose involving fentanyl-laced pills that Kay had provided. Kay is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for his role in Skaggs’ death.
Mead described his search for “a syringe or powder or cutting tool,” stating, “I had suspicions and doubts but never found anything.” He continued to express relief at not discovering anything during these searches, reinforcing his belief that Kay was mismanaging prescribed medication due to mental health challenges, including bipolar disorder.
The courtroom was tense as Mead’s testimony highlighted various incidents of Kay’s erratic behavior from 2013 to 2019. He recounted troubling moments, including Kay’s hospitalization in 2018, which raised alarm bells about his well-being. Mead’s attempts to find help for Kay included involving the Angels’ employee assistance program and discussing Kay’s issues with his family.
The trial has escalated tensions between Mead and the plaintiff’s lead attorney, Rusty Hardin. Hardin challenged Mead’s role, asking if he had “played God” in his decisions regarding Kay’s welfare. Mead denied such claims, insisting he acted out of concern for his long-time employee and his family.
Hardin’s cross-examination painted a complex picture, oscillating between Mead as a concerned boss and a figure who failed to report troubling incidents. Text messages between Mead and Kay’s wife, Camela, revealing discussions about a failed intervention in 2017, underscored the gravity of the situation.
Mead’s testimony continued to be scrutinized, particularly when he admitted he never required Kay to take a drug test and did not escalate complaints about Kay’s behavior to human resources. He cited incidents involving interns, including a personal affair and aggressive behavior, which he managed privately rather than through official channels.
As the trial progresses, the Skaggs family is seeking a staggering $118 million in lost wages and additional damages from the Angels organization. The courtroom awaits further developments as Mead’s testimony resumes on Friday, leaving many to speculate on the implications for the Angels and their responsibility in the tragic events surrounding Skaggs’ death.
Stay tuned as we provide ongoing updates on this developing story.
