Non-stop litigation mainly hurts taxpayers. Lawyers: the only guaranteed winners in this game of sue the city and county you live in.
Examples: AC Mayor Marty Small quite angry he was pulled into court for alleged child abuse. Now Small threatening to sue county taxpayers for $9 million.
The ACHS principal (Days-Chapman) wants a piece of that payout. She was accused of non-compliance with Mandatory Reporter law.
Most recently, BLM activist Steve Young said he wants $50 million for alleged civil right violations. Young blocked Albany Ave and the AC expressway on the weekend of July 4, 2020.
Legal fallout from Summer 2020 BLM riots and protests in Atlantic City could have significant implications for local taxpayers.
Following recent dismissal of criminal charges against Young and his “Expressway 7,” the group has officially filed a $50 million lawsuit against the City of Atlantic City.
Why Charges Were Dropped.
Despite high-profile nature of the 2020 event—which saw traffic on the city’s main arteries blocked for nearly three hours on the busiest weekend of the year—criminal charges for resisting arrest and failing to obey police orders were dismissed by a judge in 2024 due to reported “lack of evidence” presented by NJ state.
Attorney Seth Grossman of Liberty and Prosperity alleges that this ‘lack of evidence; may have been the result of suppressed prosecution at the county or state level.
Fiscal Threat: Civil Rights & Attorney Fees
The $50 million figure is staggering, but the real concern for taxpayers may be the structure of the laws involved.
Under specific civil rights statutes, plaintiffs who fall into “protected categories” can sue for:
- Triple Damages: Potentially tripling financial award if they prevail.
- Punitive Damages: Aimed at punishing city for conduct of officers.
- Guaranteed Attorney Fees: Even if jury awards plaintiff nominal amount (like $50), city still required to pay 100% of plaintiffs’ legal fees—which can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Whether through a massive settlement or high-stakes litigation, cost of these so-called frivolous or shakedown lawsuits are ultimately born by residents through higher taxes and insurance premiums.
As Seth Grossman of Liberty and Prosperity points out, the region’s current unaffordability is directly tied to a system that incentivizes litigation over accountability.
Steve Young BLM Lawsuit vs Downbeach Taxpayers
