Legal response to mayor’s lawsuit expected this week

MICHAEL POTESTIO STAFF REPORTER michael@kamloopsthisweek.com

A Kamloops city councillor said she expects her legal response to a lawsuit levied against her by the mayor last month will be filed in B.C. Supreme Court this week.

On June 12, Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson filed a defamation lawsuit against Coun. Katie Neustaeter.

At the time, Neustaeter told KTW she intended to file a response and was looking forward to defending herself after being served more than a month ago.

The window of time to file a response to a civil suit is 21 days.

On Monday (July 17),

Neustaeter said she will be filing a response, likely this week.

“We definitely are [going to file],” Neustaeter said. “It’s just still in process.”

She explained that her lawyer notified HamerJackson’s lawyer, within the 21-day window, that Neustaeter intended to file a response, enabling an extension on the deadline to file, which they requested.

“With indemnity happening and all those other factors, it just wasn’t enough time. I didn’t even meet my lawyer until a couple of weeks ago,” Neustaeter said.

Hamer-Jackson filed the lawsuit on June 12, claiming Neustaeter defamed him when she read out a statement on behalf of all council at a March 17 press conference, claiming he had violated personal and professional boundaries with councillors.

Hamer-Jackson also claimed Neustaeter libelled him in emails and discussions that included staff and other councillors.

In those communications, Hamer-Jackson claims Neustaeter accused him of communicating with her father — former Kamloops MLA Kevin Krueger — with nefarious intent to gain political influence over her.

On June 20, council voted to approve indemnification from the municipality for the legal action started against Neustaeter. The indemnification will cover her legal costs.