A campaign dispute between judicial candidates Dana Fortinberry and Joseph Fabrizio has spilled out of the court of public opinion into circuit court.
Fabrizio filed suit in Oakland County Circuit Court, Monday morning, charging Fortinberry and her campaign with defamation.
Fortinberry’s campaign advertisements in local newspapers, email, and flyers said Fabrizio trespassed on private property to place campaign signs, illegally contributed money to the political action committee Citizens Against Bad Judges, and lied about his involvement with the committee. The committee’s website listed him as registrant, which Fabrizio said was made by the website company in error.
With one day left in the campaign, he filed suit to set the record straight, he said.
‘It crosses the line of traditional campaign rhetoric,? he said. ‘It accuses me of illegal activities ? it rises to the level of false and unsubstantiated.?
Fortinberry’s campaign stands behind its charges and considers the lawsuit ridiculous, said David Forsmark, Fortinberry’s campaign consultant.
‘It’s a deliberate misuse of the court system,? Forsmark said. ‘It’s his way of responding at the last minute to muddy up the issues and get cheap headlines.?
The suit, which calls for a retraction, no more false accusations, and unspecified monetary damages, will continue no matter the results of Nov. 4’s election, Fabrizio said.
‘I’m taking this very seriously ? this is a formal complaint,? he said.