Frenchko’s lawyers contest authorities’ appeal | News, Sports, Jobs

WARREN — Trumbull County Commissioner Niki Frenchko is fighting an appeal from several county officials, arguing in court documents that her July 2022 arrest during a board meeting was an act of retaliation politically motivated.

In a case currently before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Frenchko’s legal team claims that she was illegally arrested for criticizing Trumbull County Sheriff Paul Monroe and that her legal rights title of the First Amendment were violated.

The brief, filed by attorneys Matt Miller-Novak and David J. Betras, on behalf of Frenchko, claims his arrest lacked probable cause and was orchestrated by political opponents seeking to silence his open criticism of the county leaders.

The case drew attention to allegations of misconduct and chaos at Trumbull County government meetings, where tensions between Frenchko and his fellow commissioners often boiled over.

The lawsuit stems from a July 7, 2022, board meeting in which Frenchko criticized Monroe’s handling of inmate care at the county jail.

According to court documents, Frenchko read an email from an inmate’s mother alleging medical negligence. Monroe, who was not present, demanded a public apology from Frenchko in response to his claims.

When Frenchko refused to back down, fellow commissioners Frank Fuda, who is no longer in office, and Mauro Cantalamessa accused her of disrupting the meeting. She was then removed and arrested by deputies from Monroe’s office. Frenchko maintains that her expulsion was unprovoked and that she was treated differently from other people who had caused similar disruptions at meetings.

“Governments cannot arrest their political opponents for their critical speeches. » Frenchko’s lawyers wrote in their brief, pointing to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Gonzalez v. Trevino.

The ruling prohibits arresting individuals for actions that are typically overlooked or unpunished in similar cases, which Frenchko’s lawyers say applies to his arrest.

The lawsuit also alleges that Fuda and Cantalamessa, both Democrats, conspired with Monroe to target Frenchko, a Republican and the first woman to serve as Trumbull County commissioner in three decades.

According to testimony cited in the brief, Monroe was in communication with deputies before and after the arrest, reinforcing claims that the incident was coordinated.

Frenchko’s legal team also accused the defendants of destroying crucial evidence, including text messages exchanged between Monroe, commissioners and county employees. These messages were reportedly deleted despite a court preservation order, raising fears of a cover-up.

The defendants, however, argued that Frenchko disrupted the meeting and that his arrest was lawful. They claim immunity under state and federal law, citing an earlier court ruling that public officials can exclude disruptive people from meetings.

The Sixth Circuit will evaluate whether the arrest violated Frenchko’s constitutional rights and whether the defendants are entitled to immunity. Oral arguments are expected to focus heavily on the recent Gonzalez v. Trevino, who Frenchko’s lawyers say is key to the case.

Frenchko’s arrest and ongoing legal battle have continued to deepen political divisions in Trumbull County, where she has long been a critic of county leaders. His lawyers say his arrest was clearly an attempt to stifle dissent and silence a political opponent.

The Sixth Circuit’s decision could have significant implications for the balance of power in local government, as well as the right of public officials to speak freely without fear of reprisal, an email from his attorneys said.