Defamation Suit Costs Buller Ratepayers $20,000

Friday, 18 October 2024, 8:58 pm
Article: Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter

A defamation suit against Buller mayor Jamie Cleine has cost ratepayers about $20,000 in legal fees.

But the rest of his defence costs are being covered by the Buller District Council's insurers, Cleine says.

The mayor was sued by Westport businessman and West Coast regional councillor Frank Dooley, for allegedly defaming him after a 2022 confrontation involving then-deputy mayor Sharon Roche.

The six-day trial in the Westport District Court before Judge Kevin Kelly ended on Tuesday.

Dooley admitted swearing at Roche at a public meeting but denied raising his fist to her.

Cleine informed other councils about the incident and the council released a report about it to news media, under official information (LGOIMA) rules.

It also trespassed Dooley from council buildings for a period.

Cleine said the total cost of the case would run to hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the council would pay only a fraction of that.

"We have indemnity insurance for this sort thing, like most councils and the excess was $15,000, which we paid early on in the piece.

There were a few other costs, which brought the amount to about $20,000, he said.

"But that's the total council bill, thankfully."

The judge's decision was expected within a few weeks, the mayor said.

Both men were represented by Kings Counsels: Robert Stewart for Dooley, and Daniel McLellan for Cleine.

* LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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