Tim Mead Admits Desktop Search of Eric Kay in Skaggs Case
In the context of the trial for the death of Tyler Skaggs, former Angels pitcher, Tim Mead, former head of communications for the team, revealed that he had searched the desk of Eric Kay, former communications director, for possible illicit drugs. Mead’s statements came during the first day of testimony in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Skaggs’ family against the Angels. Kay, who was convicted in 2022 of supplying Skaggs with the fentanyl-laced pill that caused his overdose, is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence.Mead explained that, although he had suspicions and doubts, he never found anything. He argued that he believed Kay was dealing with mental health issues and taking “prescription medications”. Mead’s testimony detailed multiple incidents related to Kay’s behavior, including “bad days” that generated concern, but which Mead did not report to the Angels’ management. Instead, he tried to help Kay through the employee assistance program and, on one occasion, with a human resources employee. The plaintiff’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, questioned Mead about his role in the decisions related to Kay, to which Mead replied that he was only trying to help an individual and his family. Hardin highlighted Mead’s concern in text conversations with Kay’s wife, Camela, about a failed intervention in 2017 and Kay’s continued erratic behavior. Mead recounted several incidents that occurred between 2013 and 2019, including Kay’s hospitalization in 2018 following an incident at the Angels stadium. During the interrogation, Mead admitted to not remembering finding small bags of drugs at Kay’s house after the failed intervention in 2017 and smiled when answering about possible violations of the Angels’ drug policy. Hardin asked the meaning of the smile, to which Mead replied that it was due to his physical state and his ability to do his job. Mead also recalled a panic attack that Kay had at Yankee Stadium in 2013. Mead also admitted that he never required Kay to take a drug test and that he did not consult the Angels on this issue until Kay began participating in the club’s employee assistance program. Mead testified that he never went to human resources with complaints against Kay, including a personal matter with an intern and another incident in which Kay yelled at another intern. Mead said he did not report the personal matter because he considered it a private issue, but he spoke with both about their inappropriate behavior. In the case of the yelling, Mead handled the situation internally.“On three occasions we checked Eric’s desk drawers to look for, I don’t know, a syringe, powder, or something to cut with,” Mead, the first witness in the trial, stated.
Tim Mead
Upon concluding his testimony, Hardin asked Mead if good people can sometimes be negligent and if they can make mistakes while trying to do the right thing, to which Mead answered in the affirmative. Hardin then asked him if that “perhaps” happened in this case, to which Mead replied: “No, sir, I don’t think so”.
The trial will continue on Friday in Orange County Superior Court. The Skaggs family is seeking $118 million in estimated lost wages, plus an unspecified amount in damages to the Angels.
