CONNEAUT — Ward 1 Councilman Dave Campbell has accused Law Director Lori Lamer of providing incorrect information at Monday’s City Council work session.
Campbell said Lamer’s alleged behavior qualifies as misconduct under the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, a series of regulations set down by the Ohio Supreme Court, which govern conduct of attorneys.
In a memo to interim city manager Edward Somppi and fellow council members, Campbell said Lamer knowingly provided an incorrect answer when asked the number of lawsuits against the city before a court, or pending or imminent. After Campbell posed the question, Lamer said she was aware of three cases, including before the appeals court , that fit those categories.
Campbell, on Wednesday, said he has since learned that the number was too low.
“It’s probably four times that number,” he said. “She threw everyone watching a curve.”
“It has been brought to my attention information asked by myself, in regards to the number of pending or existing lawsuits stated in our last council meeting … by Ms. Lamer, was to my disappointment, presented incorrectly and falsely,” Campbell said in his memo to Somppi. “I realized in the meeting that she was presenting to the public a distortion of the truth.”
In his memo, Campbell said Lamer’s response met the definition of misconduct described in the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Campbell said he wanted to bring the matter to Somppi’s attention since the law director works at the pleasure of the city manager. He also wants to discuss his concerns with council.
“Council, as a group, can tell (Somppi) what direction to go,” he said.
Somppi, reached for comment Wednesday, said he hadn’t seen Campbell’s memo.
It’s critical that council be able to trust the information provided by the law director, Campbell said.
“We base our decisions on her information,” he said. “If we get bad information or advice, we’re going to make bad decisions.”
Lamer, reached for comment Wednesday, said she understood Campbell’s question to be about lawsuits currently in the legal system, not necessarily matters that someday may turn into litigation.
“I can’t begin to count the letters we get (inferring legal action may result),” she said.
Any questions council may have regarding Lamer’s competency should be referred to the city manager, she said.
“I have an open-door policy,” Lamer said.
Local News
Conneaut law director accused of misconduct
Councilman accuses Lori Lamer of providing incorrect information at City Council work session
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