”
Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to
deceive!
”
Spying on city officials got us to where we are today
“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!” That quote about deception by Sir Walter Scott – Scottish writer and poet and one of the greatest historical novelists – epitomizes the mess the city has found itself in.
First, local attorney Bruce Tichinin hired a private investigator to spy on City Manager Ed Tewes and former City Attorney Helene Leichter to boost his claim that city officials retaliated against him. He then lied to the council about his involvement before fessing up.
After forming a surveillance subcommittee that issued a final report on the matter, the council passed a slap-on-the-wrist resolution condemning the detective work, finding it deplorable and meritless. The council passed a resolution condemning Tichinin, threatened to report him to the state board and asked him to step down from a city subcommittee. Tichinin says this was retaliation, and that it was within his First Amendment right to free speech to conduct research to prove a theory for a potential lawsuit.
Both sides had legitimate concerns
Both parties claim that if their side wins, it would be a win for the First Amendment. While Tichinin says it’s within his rights as a citizen to look into suspected misconduct, city officials argue they have free speech rights, too, and can refute such allegations.
But Tichinin says their refuting caused him significant distress professionally and personally and the 6th District Appellate Court agreed that he should get the chance to persuade a jury that the city owes him for this distress.
Come to an agreement, now
Sure, Tichinin has a right to investigate suspected misconduct, but the entire episode of a bartender turned spy who ordered two cups of hot chocolate to Tewes’ hotel room then got caught by Tewes, reminds us of Inspector Jacques Clouseau. And, the city has the right to defend itself, but threatening suits and disbarment may not have been the smartest move.
So, where does that leave us? Exactly where we are. To date, the Tichinin lawsuit has cost the city $200,000. To carry on to this extreme, while legally permissible, is a waste of time and money.
The city has many more important things to worry about and Tichinin has a practice to rebuild.
