Wednesday, October 10, 2001
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Wednesday, October 10, 2001 |
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Battle over letter to editor continues; Brown seeking legal fees from Webb
By JOHN
MUNFORD
Peachtree City resident Steve Brown, who was sued for libel over a letter to the editor criticizing the city attorney in February of last year, is still seeking reimbursement of his legal fees incurred defending himself. Brown, who is also running for mayor of Peachtree City, has incurred almost $10,000 in fees, according to documents filed by his attorney last month. He contends that James H. Webb Jr., the former city attorney who later dropped the libel suit, brought the litigation to silence criticism. Martin C. Jones, an attorney representing Webb, said Webb contends Brown is not entitled to have his attorney's fees reimbursed. After the suit was withdrawn by Webb, Brown said a number of citizens contributed funds to pay for his legal defense. Brown has since indicated he wants to repay those funds. Brown claims both parties attempted to settle the matter at an earlier date, but a settlement wasn't reached because Webb "insisted that the deal be confidential and not disclosed to the public." In a response to that allegation, Jones said Webb "has not made any settlement offers and does not intend to make any." Webb still contends that Brown made false statements about him, but "he finds it inappropriate for anyone to publicly comment further on pending litigation." The letter written by Brown claimed that Webb violated conflict of interest by serving as city attorney and being on the board of directors of a newly formed bank along with developers who are sometimes at odds with city officials. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for Nov. 12 before Superior Court Judge James E. Findley of Claxton. Local Superior Court judges recused themselves from the case since it involves attorneys who practice locally. Webb is a partner in the Peachtree City law firm of Webb, Lindsey, Collins, Jones and Wade. Another attorney from that firm, Rick Lindsey, currently serves as the city attorney for Peachtree City. Last year, Webb sued Brown, Fayette Publishing Inc. (which owns The Citizen) and Citizen Publisher Cal Beverly, claiming libel damages. The suit was dropped in June of last year with the firm claiming an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution relating to the letter vindicated its viewpoint. The Citizen declined to seek reimbursement of attorney's fees in the case.
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