By FITSNews || Two S.C. lawmakers are among numerous defendants named in a $20 million lawsuit filed this week by the mayor of Atlantic Beach. The suit, which was jointly filed by Mayor Retha Pierce and several other plaintiffs – seeks to address a host of issues related to the troubled coastal town.
S.C. Senator Dick Elliott, a Democrat, and Rep. Tracy Edge, a Republican, were named in the suit along with several local council members, city staffers, election commissioners, and the town of Atlantic Beach itself. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Florence, S.C. Eight other plaintiffs joined Pierce in filing the lawsuit, which includes allegations of election fraud, voter intimidation and – in one case – individuals reportedly impersonating federal agents.
None of those charges appear to involve Elliot or Edge, however.
Elliott is merely accused of using his influence to keep the town from being audited. Meanwhile, Edge is accused of repeatedly meddling in the town’s affairs and attempting to oust Pierce in favor of a mayoral candidate of his choosing – which as far as we can tell isn’t illegal. Edge has called the charges “unfounded” and has promised to file a counter suit against Pierce.
Pierce’s suit claims that the plaintiffs have suffered “intimidation, fear, diminished living conditions and quality of life, intense emotional distress, public humiliation, incurred litigation costs, damage to their reputations and other injury.”
Stay tuned … Atlantic Beach is certifiably “coo coo for cocoa puffs,” so this could be a wild ride!
By eggaday July 8, 2010 at 5:43 am
i believe Mayor Pierce was set up to take a fall by some “unknown” parties. there is a lot of that going around in the state. look at union county. look at the clemson city council. look in lee county, and there’s been mention of several other locations throughout the past couple of years.
i believe sanfraud is using his clout to get rid of ” problem people” and he of course is having great success with that.
sanfraud is the problem. the buck stops at the top on this one. sanfraud is at the top and it’s his fault and his logic that keeps making foul headlines time after time.
why in the world didn’t someone do something about him when they had the chance?
By snodgrass July 8, 2010 at 7:59 am
Maybe Atlantic Beach should contact Blago. I hear he’s looking for work.
By Billy Bob July 8, 2010 at 8:23 am
Hmmm… “coo coo for Coco Puffs” – - is that the basis for a lawsuit? Defaming both the coo coos and the Coco Puffs?
By Seymour Glass July 8, 2010 at 9:42 am
@ eggaday,
Really? Sanford is causing all this turmoil throughout the state? Really? Why the f@ck wouldn’t anyone want to get rid of “problem people”?
I’m not a fan of Sanford, but I do wonder how you make such an asinine conclusion. Did Sanford make (the incompetent) Mayor Peirce get behind the wheel while intoxicated? Did he cause nearly everyone in Union County government lie, cheat, steal and sell drugs? Same with the Sheriff in Lee County.
Of course, he didn’t. These people don’t even register on Mark Sanford’s radar.
Are you even from SC? You obviously aren’t from Union County, because that disgrace came from within, and the good people of that area aren’t worried about how the bad apples were sorted out… just that it happened.
By Florida Watching July 8, 2010 at 9:46 am
Haley could set up a campaign office there. Hire some like-minded staff to keep the streets alive………????
By Whippersnapper July 8, 2010 at 11:21 am
http://www2.counton2.com/cbd/news/state_regional/article/atlantic_beach_sc_mayor_arrested_on_dui_charge/65849
could Mayor Pierce be Florida Watching’s secret identity? Both evidence signs of extreme mental imbalance. Come on F.W., fess up!!
By Bullhockey July 8, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Come on — surely one of you can try to make this about Obama?!
By Florida Watching July 8, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Snapper – I am a shaggy sheepdog from Texas. The IFWGN keeps me well informed.
By Florida Watching July 8, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Snapper – IFWGN = Interstate Flea Wireless Gossip Network
By Florida Watching July 8, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Snapper – Don’t even try………the IFWGN doesn’t accept your type. Get your own fles network.
Pinhead
By Andy July 8, 2010 at 2:37 pm
If you’ve never seen Atlantic Beach, you should give it a drive-through. Amazing place.
By AB resident July 9, 2010 at 12:35 am
Mande Wilkes, are you ready to respond to my email requests that you contact me concerning what I know about those responsible for filing this malicious lawsuit?