Legal  Costs

You are aware that Mayor Whatley withdrew the Subcommittee and dropped the investigation at the July 8, 2008, council meeting.  Mayor Whatley’s goal was to discredit me personally and force me into resigning my council seat.  Mayor Whatley does not like opposition or questioning his authority.  Mayor Whatley would like to control the entire six council seats to support his beliefs and voting preference.  When you have a city council controlled by the Mayor, there is no need to have council members.

Mayor Whatley’s investigation and attack against me were paid by the city, which is your tax dollars.  The city hired a special attorney, Mr. Pete Smith, to make a case against me.  It appeared, by the investigation being dropped, Mr. Smith informed the city there was no case.

During this three month investigation, I was forced to hire an attorney to defend my position in the allegations presented by Mayor Whatley.  On July 8, 2008, Mayor Whatley dropped the investigation.  I prevailed over the allegations, but now my personal legal expenses incurred total $29,469.89.

I have asked the city to pay my legal expenses for the defamation and slandering of my name and reputation within the Midlothian community.  I received a letter on August 13, 2008, from Mr. Don Stout, City Attorney, rejecting my claim.  I find it very disturbing that the city (Whatley) can hire a special attorney at taxpayer’s expense, but I am personally responsible for my legal expenses.

This has left me in an awkward position -- should I ask for donations, or should I sue the city and the city council members who voted to implement this witch hunt?  As the lawsuit would cost even more in attorney's fees, I'm going to try "Plan A" first, and ask for your assistance.

If you'd like to be a part of showing Mayor Whatley that everyone deserves a voice on the city council, your financial assistance would be greatly appreciated.

If you could give $1, $5, $20, $50, $100 ... whatever you can afford toward promoting a free society ... it will be greatly appreciated.

Donations may be mailed to the attorney or to me personally at the addresses below:

Please make the check out to "David LaBrec," indicating on the check for the account of “Councilman Ken Chambers.”  Please inform me of donations mailed to the attorney so I may keep a personal record of all donations.

Money donated is not a campaign donation;  it is to pay legal fees.  It is also not tax deductible.

Thanks again for helping.  The support I am receiving is encouraging, and I am discovering more and more people sharing my beliefs regarding Mayor Whatley’s conduct, intimidation and bullying tactics.

We are making progress in what I believe in:  equality, fairness and constitutional protection.  We have come too far to stop now.

God Bless