LEGAL EXPENSESApril 30 – Several residents file a $10 million lawsuit against Red Bank for its three sets of traffic cameras. City argues that red-light offenders “are not entitled to a trial by jury, a presumption of innocence, or a heightened burden of proof.” A judge dismisses the case in September.Stulce earnings: $14,878.53July 2 – Ousted police chief Larry Sneed files a $1.5 million suit against the city for retaliatory discharge and political conspiracy. City responds a month later, saying Sneed’s contract did not require a reason for firing. Lawsuit is pending.Stulce earnings: $6,077.86Aug. 4 – Police Officer Bradley Hanon sues the city for “defamation, humiliation and mental anguish” after he said he exposed several incidents of alleged improper police work. Two of the officials he sues call the $1.5 million lawsuit “frivolous.” Set for trial Dec. 12.Stulce earnings:: $2,285.30Aug. 16 – John Anthony Murray sues for “mental anguish” damages, alleging that a Red Bank officer and a Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy meddled with records to justify his DUI arrest. The city has not officially responded to the $1.5 million suit. Set for trial Nov. 14.Stulce earnings: $2,566.05Aug. 23 – Red Bank police Cpl. Rebecca Chauncey sues for an unpaid suspension her attorney dubbed “retaliatory” after she tried to stop Murray’s arrest. Set for trial Dec. 12.Stulce earnings: $6,876.74Total to date: $32,684.48Source: Red Bank
As he defended the city against five lawsuits, Red Bank City Attorney Arnold Stulce Jr. netted about $32,000 in taxpayer funds between last May and January, exceeding levels he normally reaches in an entire fiscal year.
“I don’t think about it in those terms,” he said Friday.
Red Bank’s attorney since 1980, Stulce characterized the last few months as “very out of the ordinary.” The city faced a $10 million class-action lawsuit against the city’s traffic cameras, and three ex-police employees separately sued the city for $1.5 million each. A DUI suspect sued for the same amount.
Only the traffic camera lawsuit has been resolved. Hamilton County Chancery Court Judge Frank Brown dismissed it in September. The others are pending.