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Wiest files suit against State Rep. Koenig, alleges defamation, invasion of privacy in Seifried mailer


By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor

Former Fort Mitchell Mayor Christopher Wiest has filed a civil action against State Rep. Adam Koenig, claiming defamation and invasion of privacy.

Koening for State Representative and unknown (Doe) defendants associated with the campaign are also named in the complaint.

Chris Wiest mailer

The suit stems from a mailer distributed in Boone County prior to the May 17 primary election.

It identifies Wiest (spelled Weist) as a trusted advisor of Danny Seifried, Koenig’s opponent at the time, and states Wiest was dishonorably discharged from the Air Force.

Wiest denies he was an advisor of Seifried’s and produces documentation in the complaint that indicates his discharge was honorable.

“I was never an advisor for Mr. Seifried,” Wiest said. “All I did was sign a petition and put a sign in my yard.”

He referred additional questions to Robert Winter, the Fort Mitchell attorney who represents Wiest in the matter.

“The information in the suit speaks for itself,” Winter said. “I don’t know what I could add.”

The complaint, filed May 12, includes what are identified as “true and accurate” copies of Wiest’s DD Form 214, a military separation document, and his Honorable Discharge certificate.

Koenig

Koenig

Koenig, R-Erlanger, represents the 69th House District, which includes parts of Boone and Kenton counties. He declined comment on the lawsuit.

Seifried was disqualified as a candidate just days before the election, after Boone Circuit Judge J. R. Schrand ruled he did not meet the residency requirements for the 69th House District.

The suit alleges, however, that the damage to Wiest’s reputation remains and that Koenig, or his representatives, knew the statements were false.

“Koenig, the Campaign and Doe Defendants published the False Statement, and related false statements, within the Mailer (with) full knowledge and awareness of its falsity, with the goals and intention of maliciously attacking the Plaintiff to pursue a vendetta, harming Plaintiff’s reputation so as to lower him in the estimation of the community…”

It indicates the mailer was distributed to more than 2,500 households, many of which are in Boone County, which makes Boone Circuit Court the proper venue to resolve the matter.

The complaint also alleges a history of bad blood between the parties in the complaint, dating back to the Fort Mitchell mayoral race of 2010.

Wiest defeated then-Mayor Thomas Holocher, who is identified in the lawsuit as Koenig’s uncle, in a contentious election.

Wiest Honorable Discharge

The lawsuit contends the allegations of a dishonorable discharge were raised and disproven during that election and that Koenig was made aware of it at that time, but has continued to disparage Wiest:

“Holocher, Koenig, and others have held and continue to hold a deliberate vendetta and grudge against Plaintiff since the November 2010 General Election. Koenig, in particular has made statements to one or more persons that reflect this vendetta.”

The suit contends that since Wiest’s term as mayor ended on December 31, 2014, he has not injected himself into any public debates or affairs and does not maintain a public platform or forum.

Under Kentucky defamation laws, public figures are required to prove actual malice existed on the part of the offending party. Private citizens are only required to prove negligence or reckless disregard for the truth.

Weist front too

The complaint further alleges that Koenig has a “history of lies and deceit,” that make malice all the more likely.

“…including, without limitation, that Koenig has repeatedly and systematically attempted to lie and deceive voters of the 69th Legislative District about his legislative record.”

The filing identifies three counts of invasion of privacy, alleging invasion by false light, publication of private facts, and intrusion

Wiest is seeking a judgment declaring the statements in question from the mailer to be “false, misleading, defamatory and an intentionally-made false statement with malice.”

He is also asking for compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs in amounts in excess of the minimum jurisdictional amount.

At the time of this story publication, there has not been an answer to the complaint filed.

Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com


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2 Comments

  1. Jerry Anderson says:

    Burn Adam burn ! I hope Chris Wiest takes everything from you.

  2. Ben Goldade says:

    An awfully stupid move by Adam Koenig to attack a third party. Did he forget who he was running against ?

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