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Health & Fitness

Lawsuits for Fun, Profit, and Political Gain!

Once again, Troy's politics are engulfed in dirty tricks, all to influence elections.

If you're familiar with “All the President's Men” by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, then you're familiar with an American slang term for political sabotage.

Allegedly, the term was coined at the University of Southern California to describe the dirty tricks played by College Republicans at that school. A couple USC grads went to work for Nixon’s election campaign and brought the term with them, where they elevated it to new heights.

It's not a particularly nice word, nor is it suitable for use on the Patch.

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But it does describe the actions of the people Bob Gosselin, Doug Tietz, Marty Knollenberg, and the people that surround them.

Let me explain.

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Everyone has heard about the lawsuit brought against Troy for alleged violations of “free speech.”

Here, as Paul Harvey would say, is the rest of the story:

First, the attorney in this matter is Andrew Patterson. As a lawyer, Mr. Paterson seems to specialize in representing people suing local governments. Other municipalities he's happily sued on behalf of clients include: The Highland Park Board of Education, the State of Michigan; the Wayne County Airport Authority; the City of Detroit Financial Review Team, the Highland Park School Dist Financial Review Team, the Wayne County Airport Authority, the Michigan Gaming Control Board, and the Township of West Bloomfield.

But if you're not familiar with him, perhaps you're familiar with his most famous client, Robert Davis and his organization “Citizens United Against Corrupt Government.”

Mr. Davis is a notorious gadfly, who spends much of his time suing various municipalities. And Troy has been on his list before.

Back in August 2012, when the City Council was looking for a new city manager, Mr. Davis, through Mr. Paterson, sued Troy, alleging violations of the Open Meetings Act. If you didn't hear about this suit, there's a reason: The judge threw it out, finding that Mr. Davis didn't have viable case against Troy. Strike one.

Then Mr. Davis filed a second suit against Troy, alleging violations of the Freedom of Information Act. Who represented Mr. Davis on his second-go-round? Andrew Paterson. And what happened to this suit? Dismissed because Mr. Davis failed to state a claim. Strike two.

Not discouraged by two losses, Mr. Davis and Mr. Paterson tried again. This time, they brought suit to try and force Troy to hold a February election. They argued on behalf of an “unidentified candidate” seeking election. Once again, the judge rejected the argument and found that Mr. Davis had no business bringing this lawsuit. Strike Three.

For more information, you can read the fourth quarter litigation report, as prepared by Troy's Legal Department.

Unfortunately, three strikes doesn't mean you're out. Mr. Paterson has now found himself a new client and is determined to have another go at Troy's legal department. This time, they're alleging that City Council stomped all over a woman's Constitutional rights.

And here's where the political slang comes in. The “Taxpayers of Troy,” a group run by Glenn Clark, announced this lawsuit back in February 2013! But Mr. Paterson didn't file it until April 15! Why not? Because for maximum political effect, you need to have the lawsuit filed in time to affect the outcome of the Mayoral election! That way, you can use it to attack Mayor Slater and support Marty Knollenberg!  (We've attached screencaps of the Facebook posts and emphasized the dates.)

Another great question is about the lawyer, Mr. Paterson. Why is he doing this? Simple. Attorney's fees. If Mr. Paterson wins one of these cases, he can force Troy to pay him for all his time and effort in bringing these lawsuits. In fact, that's exactly what Mr. Paterson is asking for. In this “free speech” suit, Mr. Paterson has asked the court to “award Plaintiff her costs and actual attorneys' [sic] fees...”

But luckily, thanks to our skilled law department, Mr. Paterson has yet to secure his pockets with your tax dollars. But that's not going to stop people like Bob Gosselin & Co. from encouraging him to try, all for the sake of their candidate, Marty Knollenberg.

And there's the rest of the story! “Taxpayers of Troy” encourages lawsuits against Troy so lawyers can get paid and Marty Knollenberg can win an election!

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