UPDATE: Jury Knocks Down Defamation Complaint Against Mayor Fressola
Henry Dudley, who has served as the Planning Committee chairman of the Manchester Republican Club, acknowledges that his defamation suit failed
A Manchester man has acknowledged that he did not succeed in his attempt to sue Mayor Michael Fressola for defamation.
Henry Dudley, a frequent critic of the mayor, said a jury ruled that he failed to prove Mr. Fressola's statements, published in the Manchester-area media, qualified as libel or defamation.
"Mr. Fressola was found not guilty," Dudley said in a statement. "I accept the decision of the Jury.The case was presented in Ocean County Court."
The Ocean County court system decided Wednesday that Dudley did not have a sufficient case for defamation.
Fressola was accused of defaming Henry Dudley, who has served as the Planning Committee Chairman of the Manchester Republican Club.
"I was very pleased with the court process," Dudley said. "The process was very fair. I just didn't prove my case."
Fressola and Dudley have long been at odds, with the mayor recently feeling compelled to fight back against claims that his office has ethics problems.
Fressola noted posts on the Manchester Patch that showed how he paid $100, but did not admit guilt for improperly using the address and telephone number of Manchester City Hall in a political mailing piece.
The fine was levied after the mayor won re-election in 2010.
ballyjduf
7:02 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
More to come , I am sure
Scott Neuman
7:56 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Easier to pay $100.00 then spend months fighting it. Same reason you don't appeal a speeding ticket. Now this year, lets fix the water park and put the paddle wheels back.
Scott Neuman
8:00 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
And if the tax reval wasn't enough, any chance the Freeholders talked to each towns council about the next boost in taxes to make up for the homes that were lost on the shore?
despicable me
10:20 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
DUDLEY FOR MAYOR! Keep fighting Henry Dudley, Please appeal if you can.
Bryan
3:43 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
And just who paid for all the legal bills for this?
ballyjduf
11:23 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
good question , Mayor please tell us who paid . If he does not can the Patch find out
Henry Dudley
11:24 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
The lawyer bill for Michael Fressola were paid for by Manchester Township's insurance company. Manchester pays a premium to a joint fund that the State of NJ manages for many towns in NJ. ( I Think ! )
Dudley paid his own cost for the case.
Henry Dudley
11:35 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
In a very closely related issue to the problems that Mayor Fressola and I have had was the OUT OF CONTROL code enforcement department here in Manchester for the last few years. That person has gone!! I am optimistic that the new person will take a more humane approach to the job.
We will need to wait and see. However, I think the issues between Mayor Fressola and I are settled.