A judge dismissed motions to dismiss filed by several defendants in the case of former Mobile police chief Paul Prine, who is suing several city officials and others in connection with his 2024 termination.
Circuit Judge Ben Fuller denied the motions by councilmen CJ Smalls, Joel Daves, Cory Penn, Ben Reynolds and William Carroll; Thompson Coburn LLP and Kenyen Brown; and Tyrone Powers and Powers Consulting Group LLC.
Prine alleges city officials conspired to oust him, even setting up an investigation into the police department's policies and procedures to accomplish their goal. The lawsuit described the investigation by former U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown as a "witch hunt" and a "hit piece" against Prine, intended to cause irreparable damage to his character and support his termination.
Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Chief of Staff Barber and Public Safety Director Lasky claim Prine's allegations are "baseless" and deny any kind of witch hunt. They state Prine went on a public mud-slinging campaign within hours of him being suspended and placed on administrative leave.
Council members entered a motion to be dismissed from the suit, asserting absolute legislative immunity.
Defendants Brown, Thompson Coburn, LLP, Tyrone Powers, and Powers Consulting Group LLC asked to be dismissed from the suit, claiming qualified immunity.
Fuller, a retired Autauga County Circuit judge who was appointed by Chief Justice Sarah Stewart, heard the arguments Friday and entered a denial Monday.
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