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Trey Taylor and Jeanna Kervin at City Hall after the council voted to file declaratory judgments challenging their residencies

City ordered to pay Taylor's legal fees

Staff Report

In an order issued by Elmore County Circuit Judge Sibley Reynolds, the City of Tallassee must pay attorney fees to Trey Taylor for $5,270 due to the Litigation Accountability Act.

The city filed declaratory judgments to the Circuit Court questioning Taylor and Jeanna Kervin's residencies prior to each's campaign for mayor. That judgment was dismissed by the same court.

"This court has no jurisdiction to entertain the declaratory judgment action as the application of Alabama Code section 17-16-44 stating that "No jurisdiction exist;" therefore, the motion to dismiss the claim is granted," Reynolds noted in the order.

The defendents then filed a motion against the city under the Litigation Accountability Act for reimbursement of their legal fees. Kervin later dismissed her suit.

"The law is crystal clear," attorney Mike Segrest stated. "The law says the court has absolutely no jurisdiction to interfere with the election process."

Taylor spoke about the court's ruling.

"I think it possibly altered the election," he said. "It was a frivolous lawsuit."

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