(IID petitions appellate court)...A writ of mandate was filed Friday.

The Imperial Irrigation District filed the writ with the 4th District Court of Appeals in the Michael Abatti vs. IID case, seeking to have further action by the trial court reassigned to another judge. Action is pending before the trial court regarding whether IID is entitled to a reassignment for attorney's fees and costs. Last week, the district petitioned Judge L. Brooks Anderholt to recuse himself. He declined. The district believes the reassignment, under the circumstances, is warranted. IID General Counsel Frank Oswalt says by taking action to file the writ with the 4th District Court of Appeal, the IID Board is doing what it must do to protect interests of the public that it serves.. Oswalt said the board can no longer ignore the trial court's record of bias in this litigation. IID Board President Norma Sierra Galindo said in the interest of justice and impartiality, the most prudent thing for Judge Anderholt to do was to have stepped aside. She said it is regrettable that he chose to not do so.