A long-standing feud between Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley and Water Wells First spokesperson Kevin Jakubec has come to an end.
Jakubec issued a statement to the media last week through lawyer Cole Vegso of Siskinds LLP.
“Previously I, Kevin Jakubec, made public comments that suggested Mr. Wesley was a liar,” Jakubec said in the statement.
“It is not true that Mr. Wesley is a liar. I apologize. Councillor Wesley and I have come to an agreement regarding the damages assessed in the Reasons for Decision of Deputy Judge Glenn C. Walker on July 27, 2017 and consider the matter resolved.”
Jakubec added: “Neither Councillor Wesley or myself will have further comment on this matter.”
Wesley told the Sydenham Current that he agrees with the statement released by Jakubec.
Background
Last summer, Wesley won a $27,000 civil lawsuit over the Water Wells First spokesperson.
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.
At the time 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.”
