June 20, 2017      5:58 PM

Calling his arguments frivolous, Travis County judge rejects MQ Sullivan request to dismiss lobby case

Sullivan plans to appeal to the Third Court of Appeals in Austin using an argument media organizations have called “gaming the system”

Calling the arguments from his attorneys “frivolous” and “solely intended to delay” the pursuit of justice, a Travis County judge has rejected Michael Quinn Sullivan’s request that the case of his alleged illegal lobbying be dismissed.

After the judge rejected his request, Sullivan’s attorneys notified the court that they plan to ask the Third Court of Appeals in Austin to hear their motion to dismiss the case based on the state’s anti-SLAPP law, which provides for expedited review of many legal issues based on the right of free speech.

For those who are unfamiliar, a "strategic lawsuit against public participation," or SLAPP, is a lawsuit intended to intimidate and silence critics by burying them under the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition.

It’s a perhaps funny thing for Sullivan to claim is happening to him, given that he and his backers were able to pay out $700,000 in attorneys’ fees in a single year.

By Scott Braddock

Copyright June 20, 2017, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved