In a tentative ruling released today, a judge dismissed a $94.5 million jury verdict against the city of San Diego and called for a new trial on a corresponding $29.2 million award in the long-fought case with developer Roque de la Fuente.

The ruling isn’t final, as both sides will argue the decision in a Riverside County court in the ensuing months. But if it stands, it will eliminate a sizable financial burden that has long loomed over the city’s already cloudy financial future.

Fred Sainz, the mayor’s spokesman, said the Mayor’s Office was “cautiously optimistic.”

City Attorney Mike Aguirre called a press conference to announce the decision this evening. However, the City Attorney’s Office no longer invites voiceofsandiego.org to his press events. He is apparently upset with the news coverage his office has received in this publication.

Please check back later for more on the judge’s ruling.

ANDREW DONOHUE

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