(North County Beat) – A Michigan city official’s defamation lawsuit has been scheduled for trial this October, alleging that multiple board members of a national association for government professionals, including Port Huron City Manager James Freed, were involved in a retaliatory censure vote against him.
After nearly a year of proceedings in federal court, Freed’s case against the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and several board members has moved back to St. Clair County District Court. A pretrial hearing is set for October 17, followed by the trial starting on October 29.
“This case represents a politically motivated attack on Freed’s reputation by Antil and others due to his criticism of the governor,” stated Joe Turner, president of the American Association of Municipal Executives, to which Freed belongs. “Instead of being recognized for his dedication to employee rights and service continuity, he has faced unjust treatment from his professional peers.”
City Manager Pamela Antil, a Michigan native and Encinitas city manager since 2020, is among 16 defendants in the lawsuit, which names the ICMA as a primary defendant. Last year, Antil was criticized for inappropriate text messages regarding Freed during a censure appeal.
In a text exchange, board member William Fraser referred to Freed derogatorily, while Antil expressed her own frustrations, indicating personal animosity towards him. This censure vote occurred on June 11, 2022, with board members citing ethical violations tied to Freed’s public comments about COVID-19 policies.
Freed’s lawsuit initially named 19 defendants, including an ethics adviser, but has since been narrowed down. He contends that the censure severely damaged his career prospects. “I’m the only city manager ever censured for social media posts and a private email,” Freed said on a podcast.
The case has been fraught with conflict, with Freed’s attorney alleging that the defendants have been uncooperative during the discovery process. A judge eventually ordered compliance from all parties involved, prompting criticism from Turner regarding Antil’s actions.
In past correspondence, Freed expressed concerns about ICMA’s political bias, which he claims led to animosity from the ethics department. Despite allegations of misconduct, investigations cleared him of wrongdoing.
The ICMA board has maintained that Freed’s statements about enforcing COVID-19 mandates violated ethical standards. In contrast, Freed’s actions regarding the pandemic have been supported by the Port Huron City Council, which criticized the board’s findings and demanded a retraction.
Antil’s contrasting actions in Encinitas included implementing a mandatory vaccination policy for city employees in 2021, leading to disciplinary actions against non-compliant staff. Following significant community backlash, the city rescinded this policy in April 2023.
Freed’s legal battle continues to draw attention as the scheduled trial approaches, highlighting deep divisions within municipal governance and the challenges faced by city managers in navigating ethical standards and public health policies.
