Dewey has no shame

by Leanna Rodabaugh, Stevensville

The mayor desperately sued Regina Plettenberg and Leanna Rodabaugh in an attempt to stop the legitimate recall approved by the Ravalli County Attorney’s office.

In December 2020 Dewey wrote a check to the law firm he used for the lawsuit. The amount is $12,020.20. He claimed it was the right thing to do, and never brought it before the council. Seven months passed and the finance officer, Robert Underwood, spent several hours trying to communicate with the town’s attorney, Scott Owens. When Mr. Owens finally returned the calls from Robert, the attorney instructed Dewey to IMMEDIATELY return the funds to the town’s coffers.

The council ordered a complete review of the debacle and hired a Missoula attorney. Cost over $3,000.

Here are excerpts from the investigating attorney’s report:

“In April, 2021, Owens was notified the claim had not been approved by the council, and told Dewey and Underwood that because the step of town council approval had been missed, the money should be put back, and Dewey could then decide whether or not to ask for reimbursement. Dewey promptly repaid the money, and decided not to seek reimbursement.”

Dewey claims he bases his current wish for reimbursement upon a lawsuit that happened in Helena. The difference is plain. Dewey initiated the injunction lawsuit, attempting to stop the recall petition. HE SUED two individuals.

The Helena lawsuit concerned a recall suit AGAINST the city. Two totally different actions.

In the end, the recall was permitted to go forth, allowed by a distinguished District Judge. Dewey cannot ask the town to pay for his lawsuit. He used public resources for his suit, and now wants the town to reimburse him for his personal, private citizen attorney fees.

Please attend the next Council Meeting and ask the council to end this nonsense.

It appears that Dewey wants to punish the town for his recent re-election loss.