Post by Logan on Jan 26, 2016 15:37:38 GMT -6
Portsmouth Councilman Bill Moody fights $1,500 fine with attorney
Councilman Bill Moody has hired an attorney to help him fight the $1,500 fine that his City Council colleagues imposed on him earlier this month.
On Monday, Kevin E. Martingayle of Bischoff Martingayle sent a letter to Portsmouth City Attorney Solomon Ashby and the council that questions whether the council has the authority to fine Moody. It also mentions that the council's actions could be challenged legally.
“Please understand that the existence of any rule enacted without clear authority and in apparent violation of free speech principles is a very serious concern, and to the extent that Councilman Moody’s civil rights have been and are continuing to be violated, all responsible individuals may be held liable for damages, plus all attorney’s fees and costs incurred,” Martingayle wrote.
On Jan. 12, Mayor Kenny Wright and council members Danny Meeks, Mark Whitaker, Paige Cherry and Curtis Edmonds imposed a $1,500 fine on Moody for a Facebook post that he made before a closed meeting. The post mentioned that at an upcoming closed meeting, the council would discuss the city's Confederate monument and how it pertains to a case in the city of Danville.
Read more: pilotonline.com/news/government/local/portsmouth-councilman-bill-moody-fights-fine-with-attorney/article_892aa7ee-3955-5457-8e5a-31db620f84f7.html
Councilman Bill Moody has hired an attorney to help him fight the $1,500 fine that his City Council colleagues imposed on him earlier this month.
On Monday, Kevin E. Martingayle of Bischoff Martingayle sent a letter to Portsmouth City Attorney Solomon Ashby and the council that questions whether the council has the authority to fine Moody. It also mentions that the council's actions could be challenged legally.
“Please understand that the existence of any rule enacted without clear authority and in apparent violation of free speech principles is a very serious concern, and to the extent that Councilman Moody’s civil rights have been and are continuing to be violated, all responsible individuals may be held liable for damages, plus all attorney’s fees and costs incurred,” Martingayle wrote.
On Jan. 12, Mayor Kenny Wright and council members Danny Meeks, Mark Whitaker, Paige Cherry and Curtis Edmonds imposed a $1,500 fine on Moody for a Facebook post that he made before a closed meeting. The post mentioned that at an upcoming closed meeting, the council would discuss the city's Confederate monument and how it pertains to a case in the city of Danville.
Read more: pilotonline.com/news/government/local/portsmouth-councilman-bill-moody-fights-fine-with-attorney/article_892aa7ee-3955-5457-8e5a-31db620f84f7.html