BROOKHAVEN
City to appeal verdict that could cost millions
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10 APRIL 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS
EQ UA L HOUSING OPPOR T UNI T Y
Drawings of the townhomes Ardent Companies was proposing to build on Bramblewood Drive off Buford Highway. (City of Brookhaven) BY SAMMIE PURCELL
on behalf of the city within “established policies, procedures, or guidelines,” and was not acting for their own personal gain. “We shouldn’t be in this position,” Jones said. “But now that we are, it is our responsibility to protect those who have dedicated so much to their public service.” Other council members also said they thought the Ardent verdict was incorrect and defended the actions of Ernst and Sigman. “I stand in support of my colleagues,
Brookhaven will appeal a jury decision that would have the city and city officials pay over $6 million in damages. “The city believes that the actions taken by the city in the Ardent development matter in recent litigation were proper and in the city’s best interest,” Brookhaven City Councilmember Linley Jones said at a March 22 meeting. “Thus, the city disagrees with the verdict and supports its officials and employees. Ardent did not and does not have the right to make any city sell it a street. The city is appealing and otherwise challenging this verdict.” On March 7, a jury found that the city purposefully obstructed the progress of a redevelopment project from Atlanta-based real estate firm Ardent Companies along Buford Highway. The company had been planning a buyout of a neighborhood on Bramblewood Drive where they planned to build a gated townhome community, but alleged From left, City Manager Christian Sigman and the city purposefully tried to kill Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst. the project. At the March 22 meeting, the city past members of this board, and our emcouncil also approved a resolution adoptployees who faithfully perform their obing a policy for the indemnification and ligations and duties,” said Councilmemdefense of elected officials, appointed ofber John Funny. “I, along with my fellow ficials, and city employees. City Attorney council members, disagree with the verChris Balch said the introduction of this dict and welcome the appeal of the verpolicy was not due to the Ardent verdict. dict.” However, the jury also ordered BrookhavA press release from the city of en Mayor John Ernst and City Manager Brookhaven said that comments on the Christian Sigman to pay $200,000 each case would be limited while the litigain punitive damages. Ernst and Sigman tion is pending. In an emailed statement, were not present at the meeting, which a lawyer for Ardent Companies said they Balch said he advised to “avoid any apwere confident the court would uphold pearance of impropriety.” the verdict. “The policy will provide for indemni“Judge Barrie was thoughtful and defication and defense for any amount of a liberate in all of her rulings throughout claim or a claim that is not itself covered the trial, and the jury’s verdict is wellby insurance,” Balch said. supported by the overwhelming evidence According to the resolution, the poliof the City’s wrongdoing, orchestratcy will apply to any employee who at the ed and assisted by Mr. Sigman and Mr. time of the alleged actions was working Ernst,” said attorney Shannan Oliver. reporternewspapers.com
