Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley is still waiting for his payment, after winning a $27,000 civil lawsuit this past summer over Kevin Jakubec, spokesperson for Water Wells First.
An Examination Hearing was held on Wednesday, November 8, but Wesley says he could not share any details about the hearing.
Prior to the hearing, Wesley said the sum had still not been paid by Jakubec.
“He has not paid, nor has he attempted to resolve this matter in any way,” Wesley said in an email to the media.
“We continue to follow the appropriate legal processes in place to collect what is owed. It takes time.”
Wesley said he was hoping the Examination Hearing would add clarity to the situation.
Jakubec could not immediately be reached for comment.
The ruling, made by Deputy Judge Glen C. Walker, was for $25,000 in damages and $2,000 in costs.
The basis of the law suit stemmed from “defamatory comments” made by Jakubec in multiple media outlets earlier this year, Walker said in his ruling.
Water Wells First and Jakubec had handed Wesley one of their ‘Shame Awards’ back in February, for apparently misleading the public.
Subsequently, Wesley demanded an apology and retraction of the comments and threatened legal action against Jakubec.
Wesley’s lawyer, Michael M. Lerner said in an e-mail that Wesley was happy with the outcome.
“Mr. Wesley is delighted with the decision and has instructed me to enforce the judgment for damages and costs,” Lerner said.
“After all expenses have been paid, the balance will be donated to a charity or non-profit organization committed to the preservation of clean drinking water.”
Walker’s ruling stated that Wesley was “embarrassed and humiliated” by the false accusations by Jakubec.
As a result, Walker said in his ruling that Wesley has decided not the run for municipal council in the next election.
“I owe the people of Wallaceburg a huge debt of gratitude for their support over seven municipal elections and I have tried to stand up for them the best I know how… even when it was detrimental to my own career outside of politics,” Wesley told the Sydenham Current back in August.
“If the position of Mayor of Wallaceburg was up for election, I would campaign my heart out as that is the best job I have ever had. Being defamed and having to resort to a law suit to clear my name is not what I got into local municipal politics for. My wife and my family were also hurt and they do not want me to run again. I am agreeing with them.”
Read more, here: Wesley wins law suit, not seeking re-election
