Tulsa City Councilors Seek Lawsuit Dismissal

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa's City Council is asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit against them, citing a federal ruling that private citizens cannot sue to enforce criminal statutes.

Attorney Clark Brewster, who represents a majority of the councilors, said it was improper to have private individuals pursuing a lawsuit over a misdemeanor criminal statute. Brewster said, "otherwise you could bring a lawsuit against your neighbor for speeding. It doesn't make any sense."

Read the motion to dismiss the lawsuit

Read Clark Brewster's letter to Paul DeMuro asking that his clients dismiss the lawsuit

The City Council is being sued over alleged violations of the Open Meetings Act by three citizens: Burt Holmes, Nancy Rothman and Henryetta McIntosh.

7/16/2010  Related Story: Legal Battle Lines Drawn Between Tulsa City Government And Citizens

7/15/2010  Related Story: Tulsa City Council Sued Over Contentious Executive Session