City of Margaret First Amendment Lawsuit Settled

Mr. Owen,

Thank for your email below. I appreciate WBRC covering matters of local interest.

I do not typically comment publicly on client legal matters, but I will note a few facts:

1. All claims were dismissed against the mayor.
2. All claims were dismissed against the police chief.
3. Prior to the filing of the lawsuit, the city adopted appropriate guidelines providing, among other things, a designated area where the press may record public city council meetings.
4. The city began livestreaming and recording its public city council meetings last year, and the recordings are available on YouTube.

Link: https://cityofmargaretalabama.gov/margaret-council-meeting-livestream/

Link: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofMargaret/videos

1. The city denies any wrongdoing, and the court did not find the city (or any of its officials) guilty of any wrongdoing.
2. The city’s insurance carrier agreed to a compromise payment in order to avoid the continued time and growing expense of protracted litigation, not as an admission to (or finding of) any wrongdoing.

I trust that this email finds you doing well. Take care and kindest regards.

Respectfully,
Brad Cornett
Ford, Howard & Cornett, P.C.
140 South 9^th Street
Gadsden, Alabama 35901
(256) 546-5432 phone
brad@fordhowardcornett.com
MyAlabamaAttorneys.com

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From: Kenneth Owen <kenny.owen@wbrc.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2025 4:10 PM
To: Brad@FordHowardCornett.com
Subject: Margaret First Amendment Lawsuit Settled

Hello,

I understand that you were the attorney representing the City of Margaret in a First Amendment Lawsuit brought by the Center for Individual Rights & Councilman Tortorice.

I also understand that the case has now been settled.

I was wondering if you had a settlement about the settlement or if you could provide one on behalf of the City of Margaret?

Thank you,

Kenny Owen
Executive Producer | WBRC 6 News