Conflict flares at Lynchburg City Council Special Session
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — A special session called at Lynchburg City Council chambers Wednesday quickly devolved into yelling.
It was adjourned as soon as it began because there weren’t enough council members in place to hold a quorum; only Mayor Stephanie Reed and Councilmen Marty Misjuns and Jeff Helgeson were present ahead of the 4th of July holiday.
As soon as Reed ended the special session, Helgeson and Misjuns attempted to hold a press conference in chambers. Reed argued that was not allowed because it had not been scheduled and that city staff needed to go home.
She then asked police to escort the councilmen, press, and residents out of the chambers so the press conference could be held in the hallway. Residents shouted back that the councilmen should be allowed to speak, while one called out Helgeson and Misjuns for what she called “waste, fraud, and abuse.”
After a few minutes, the crowd willingly stepped into the hallway, which is when Misjuns and Helgeson made their claim that Lynchburg City Attorney Matthew Freedman called council members Saturday and asked what they thought about the city representing fellow councilmember and Vice Mayor Chris Faraldi in a lawsuit. The suit was filed by his primary election opponent Peter Alexander.
Misjuns and Helgeson also claim an email using the phrase “attorney-client privilege” suggests the city attorney may be representing Faraldi in a private suit.
Virginia REALTORS release May housing report
“It’s a private matter between two opposing candidates over state law,” said Helgeson. “The city shouldn’t weigh in on this.”
John Fishwick, former U.S. Attorney and owner of Fishwick and Associates says the mention of “attorney-client privilege” does not necessarily mean the city attorney has taken on the case.
“If an individual calls a lawyer up and asks for advice about a legal matter, whether they hire that lawyer or not, that conversation with the lawyer is privileged and protected and confidential,” he said.
Faraldi’s campaign also denies that the city attorney is representing him, saying via email Tuesday night, “The city has and is not representing Mr. Faraldi in his personal capacity, nor the campaign.”
WFXR reached out to Freedman but did not get a response; Mayor Reed says he is on a previously scheduled vacation with family over the 4th of July weekend.
She said it was unfair to make these claims when Freedman was not able to attend the special session.
“Now the court of public opinion is going to assume things based on what [Helgeson and Misjuns] were allowed to say for the next few days until Tuesday when he gets to speak,” she said.
The special session has been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 9.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
