Wayne Co. Officials Request that Local Man Get Judge’s Permission Before Filing Suits
In an unexpected turn of events, officials from Wayne County are taking a man to court in a bid to stop him from filing more lawsuits against them. The man in question, Robert Davis, lives in Highland Park and is known for his regular responsibilities and lawsuits against the county. In their lawsuit, the officials propose that Davis be required to first get the approval of a judge before he proceeds with more suits or requests for public records.
Davis, who once worked for County Commissioner Martha Scott, thinks the move by the officials won’t work. In fact, he calls the lawsuit a “total waste of taxpayers’ money” and retaliatory since he has been exposing corruption within the Wayne County Commission. “I only file legitimate actions,” Davis asserts. “I always win.”
The officials, through their claim, want Chief Judge Patricia Fresard to issue an order that would bind all judges in Wayne County to respond to Davis’ suits and records requests in the same manner. This would mean Davis would be prevented from making Freedom of Information Act or FOIA requests and lawsuits unless he secures approval from the court and presents a convincing case. Furthermore, he would have to take on a $2,000 bond for each record request and a $10,000 bond for every lawsuit.
A spokesperson for the Wayne County Commission, Jim Toth, stated that intervention from the judiciary is required to prevent Davis from misusing the courts and FOIA, which has already cost the county significantly in attorney fees.
However, Davis insists that his lawsuits and records requests are all about revealing the truth and unearthing unethical activities by the board.
In response, the commission in its lawsuit categorically denied any wrongdoing. Over the years, Davis has kept local and state officials, including various bodies, on their toes by filling several lawsuits and FOIA requests.
On one hand, Davis claims that he invariably “wins” the lawsuits, but his record displays mixed results. A review of Davis’ legal challenges and lawsuits reveals he has successfully sued Wayne County, Highland Park, and Taylor, mostly for failing to respond correctly to Freedom of Information Act requests. But while he has won 11 out of the 34 cases, he has either lost or given up the rest.
The unique case has drawn the attention of legal experts. It is not often that courts have to limit the lawsuits filed by a person who repeatedly acts in bad faith. Also, it’s very rare that serious measures like requiring permission before filing lawsuits are being considered.
The significant issue that could arise is the proposed $2,000 bond and the $10,000 bond necessary to file a FOIA request or lawsuit, respectively. If Davis is unable to afford the fees, he could argue that the bond, in reality, is hindering his speech.
One factor that remains certain is that this move by Wayne County officials has introduced an intriguing twist in an already peculiar ongoing dispute with Davis.
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
NOVI STAFF WRITER The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
