Rev. Horace Sheffield
The controversy over whether someone tried to buy a vote for Detroit City Council president is taking a new turn.
Detroit businessman Thomas Hardiman, Sr. announced Tuesday via a press release that he plans to file a lawsuit Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court against Rev. Horace Sheffield" for defamation of character regarding his role in linking Hardiman to rumors of illegal and unethical behavior."
You might recall that Sheffield had confirmed to media members that he approached Detroit Police Chief James Craig to report a rumor that Hardiman offered to pay the campaign debt of Sheffield's daughter, City Councilwoman Mary Sheffield, in exchange for her vote for Detroit City Council President’s vote.
The mess has turned into a federal grand jury investigation.
“Mr. Hardiman has built a successful business in Detroit, partly from his reputation of honesty and integrity, and intends to protect both at all costs,” Jamaine Dickens, a principal of DMC Strategies, and spokesman for Hardiman, said in a statement. “We are confident that the truth will be revealed in due time; however, Mr. Sheffield’s careless and irresponsible behavior must be addressed firmly and immediately.”
The release said:
Hardiman is seeking punitive damages for harm done to his credibility, his good name, and his business as a result of the constant media reports spurred by Sheffield’s comments that falsely and illogically associate Hardiman with the rumors.
While media agencies have sought to remind their audience that Hardiman was associated with Detroit’s most recent high-profile federal investigation, they have omitted two very important distinctions: Mr. Hardiman was the victim in that case, not an interested party; and that he was subpoenaed by the prosecution to testify that his business was forced to include a certain subcontractor in the execution of contracts competitively awarded to his company.
“Based on past experiences, Mr. Hardiman decided against seeking future business with the city of Detroit; therefore, he has no business interest in the make up of the Detroit City Council as the rumor suggests,” Dickens said.
A spokesman for Sheffield did not immediately respond for comment.