Paducahans Appeal Yard Sale Verdict |
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Two Paducahans whose $140 million lawsuit against the city for
closing their yard sale was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Edward
Johnstone earlier this month have appealed that decision to the 6th
Circuit Court of Appeals. Anthony David Reaves and Leann Chaffin claimed in a suit filed in February that their constitutional rights were violated when the city closed down their yard sale in September 2002. The suit requested $40 million in monetary damages and $100 million in punitive damages. City Inspection Director Joel Scarbrough said the sale had been operating for two months, but city ordinance limits such sales to three days. Johnstone found that the pair failed to prove their constitutional or due process rights were violated when the city shut down the sale without a hearing even though they had a business license. "I'm confident the 6th Circuit will review the case and agree that Judge Johnstone made the right decision in dismissing the complaint," said city attorney Stacey Blankenship of Denton and Keuler. Reaves and Chaffin do not have listed phone numbers and could not be reached for comment. As published in the Paducah Sun on August 14, 2003 By Staff Report -- 270.575.8650 |
