www.mlive.com
Open in
urlscan Pro
2a02:26f0:6c00::210:ba19
Public Scan
Submitted URL: https://news.milawyersweekly.com/acton/ct/22730/s-0ca1-2303/Bct/q-0004/l-0001:2f68/ct13_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3A3UntD3SyK
Effective URL: https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2023/03/flint-councilman-eric-mays-raises-13k-for-legal-fees-in-10-days-on-gofundme.h...
Submission: On March 24 via api from CH — Scanned from DE
Effective URL: https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2023/03/flint-councilman-eric-mays-raises-13k-for-legal-fees-in-10-days-on-gofundme.h...
Submission: On March 24 via api from CH — Scanned from DE
Form analysis 1 forms found in the DOM
<form><input class="advtoprail__input" name="advtoprail__input" type="text" placeholder="Enter City and State or Zip Code" value=""><button id="" class="ds-button ds-button--primary ds-button--large " aria-label="Submit"><span>Submit</span></button>
</form>Text Content
Skip to Article
* Search latest news
* Home
* Set Your EditionMichiganLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can
open up.Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To Main
Menu
* Ann Arbor
* Flint
* Grand Rapids/Muskegon
* Jackson
* Kalamazoo
* Saginaw/Bay City
* All Michigan
* Set Weather
* NewsLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Large
ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To News
* Coronavirus
* Crime
* Public Interest
* Education
* Lottery
* Obituaries
* Politics & Elections
* U.S. & World
* Weather
* RegionsLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Large
ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To
Regions
* Ann Arbor
* Bay City
* Flint
* Grand Rapids
* Jackson
* Kalamazoo
* Muskegon
* Saginaw
* SportsLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Large
ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To Sports
* Lions
* Pistons
* Red Wings
* Tigers
* Broncos
* Betting
* Spartans
* Wolverines
* West Michigan Whitecaps
* Grand Rapids Griffins
* Life & CultureLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open
up.Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To Life &
Culture
* Celebrations
* Michigan's Best
* Shopping and Deals
* WeatherLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Large
ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To Weather
* Forecasts from Mark Torregrossa
* Radar & More
* High School Sports
* Lottery
* BettingLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Large
ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To Betting
* Bracket Challenge
* Best Online Casinos
* Education
* Michigan Betting Guides
* Sportsbooks
* Business
* Michigan’s Best
* ObituariesLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Large
ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To
Obituaries
* View current obituaries
* Place obituary
* Comics & PuzzlesLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open
up.Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To Comics &
Puzzles
* Comics Kingdom
* Go Comics
* Puzzles Palace
* Puzzle Society
* Tribune Puzzles & Games
* Jobs
* Autos
* Real EstateLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Large
ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To Real
Estate
* Homes for Sale
* For Rent
* Foreclosures
* Real Estate News
* Opinion
* Classifieds
* Public Notices
* Newsletters
* Mobile Apps
* Daily Audio Briefing
* Celebrations
* Service Directory
* Place an Ad
* Follow UsLarge ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Large
ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.
* Large ChevronChevron that denotes content that can open up.Back To Follow
Us
* Visit our Facebook Page
* Follow us on Twitter
* Visit us on YouTube
Set weather
Back To Main MenuClose
Customize Your Weather
Set Your Location:
Enter City and State or Zip Code
Submit
Michigan
* Ann Arbor
* Flint
* Grand Rapids/Muskegon
* Jackson
* Kalamazoo
* Saginaw/Bay City
* All Michigan
Subscribe
Sign in
* Sign in
* Create account
* Newsletters
* Custom Alerts
* Help/FAQ
\
Close
1. Flint
FLINT COUNCILMAN ERIC MAYS RAISES $13K FOR LEGAL FEES IN 10 DAYS ON GOFUNDME
* Published: Mar. 24, 2023, 8:35 a.m.
Eric Mays, 1st Ward Flint City Council member, speaks with reporters after his
disorderly conduct trial was delayed due to lack of jurors on Thursday, Jan. 12,
2023 at Genesee District Court in downtown Flint. Mays’ trial was delayed until
February after only 10 citizens showed up for jury duty after having been
summoned, and Judge Vikki Bayeh-Haley said she may hold a show cause hearing to
find those who were served with contempt of court for failing to appear. (Jake
May | MLive.com)
Signed-in readers now can bookmark stories to read later.
NEW!
By
* Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
FLINT, MI -- Eric Mays’ bigger-than-life personality is paying off in dollars
and cents.
Just 10 days after launching a GoFundMe account that he says will be used in
future court battles, the renegade Flint city councilman who’s gained a national
following for his in-your-face politics has raised more than $13,000 from
followers and supporters across the country.
“People are reacting to (other) people trying to tell me how to talk,” Mays said
on Thursday, March 23. “They believe I fight for the people I represent ... I
think they see some of the attempted injustices.”
Mays is the most senior member of the City Council and has been a fixture inside
Flint City Hall for decades.
But his clashes with other members of the council have become fuel for viral
videos on YouTube and TikTok, where he has more than 100,000 followers and where
other account holders have used video from council meetings to create dozens of
clips that have been viewed by millions.
One account holder’s library of Mays’ videos has nearly reached 100 with clips
of the councilman being arrested and in loud exchanges with former and current
council members.
Some council members have said Mays’ antics amount to bullying and blame him for
creating a hostile environment inside City Hall, but people are watching and
apparently willing to pay for more.
On his GoFundMe page, Mays wrote that he is “fighting legally for the rights of
folks that need strong representation.”
“Sometimes cash is necessary to win,” the appeal says. “This is one of those
times. Lawyers are costing more than I have at this time. Timing is everything.
I am asking for your financial support. If ‘we’ all do a little ‘we’ will win
this legal battle.”
Mays said money raised from the GoFundMe campaign will be used as he fights a
Genesee District Court conviction on a disorderly conduct charge.
A jury convicted Mays of the misdemeanor earlier this month in a case in which
he acted as his own attorney. He’s said he plans to file a motion to set aside
the verdict and to request a new trial before Judge Vikki Bayeh-Haley.
Mays has also said there are grounds to appeal the verdict should his motion for
a new trial be denied.
The original disorderly conduct charge against Mays was filed after police
removed him from a City Council meeting in April after he refused to leave the
council chambers after having been asked to leave by council member Allie
Herkenroder, who was chairing the meeting.
In addition to the disorderly conduct case, Mays said he is also working with
attorney John Fernandez of the Lento Law Group to protect his free speech
rights.
Fernandez said on Thursday that he’s sent cease and desist letters to five
council members, claiming they’ve “repeatedly and flagrantly violated the
constitutional rights” of Mays.
In addition to Herkenroder, the letters were sent to council members Ladel Lewis
(Ward 2), Judy Priestley (Ward 4), Dennis Pfeiffer (Ward 8), and Eva Worthing
(Ward 9).
Pfeiffer said Thursday that he hasn’t received the letter addressed to him but
after reviewing a copy from MLive-The Flint Journal, he said it amounts to “an
attempt to libel and slander the Flint City Council as a whole.”
“Mr. Mays is using this PR stunt to capitalize and profit off the backs of his
constituents and all the citizens of Flint,” Pfeiffer said in a message to The
Journal. “This is a mere scare tactic to continue his social media funding
effort. Mr. Mays should divert these funds to fulfill his court-ordered
garnishment that is due to the city residents from prior baseless lawsuits.”
In 2021, Mays was ordered to pay the city’s legal fees in connection to a failed
federal lawsuit he brought against Mayor Sheldon Neeley and others inside City
Hall. In that case, U.S. District Court Judge Bernard A. Friedman granted the
city’s request that the councilman’s salary be garnished to pay nearly $35,000
in city legal fees.
The lawsuit claimed Neeley, one of the mayor’s top aides, the city attorney, a
Flint police officer who has removed him from meetings, and fellow council
members, violated his right to free speech, due process, and unreasonable
seizure, denied him equal protection under the law, and subjected him to false
arrest.
Friedman ruled that the councilman’s claims were “plainly barred by legislative
immunity” and found the City Council was justified in removing Mays from four
meetings “because (Mays) was being argumentative and disruptive.”
Lewis said during a council meeting on Wednesday, March 22, that Mays was using
council meetings as a backdrop for video clips that are later circulated through
social media.
“We’re wasting a whole lot of time over some foolishness,” Lewis said. “When
someone is performing for TikTok, everything is turned into a circus.”
Read more at The Flint Journal:
Mays could face jail time after jury finds him guilty of disorderly conduct
Mays says he won’t take disorderly conduct conviction without a fight
Flint councilman thrown out of meeting after barrage of racial slurs
Mays ordered out of Flint council meeting hours after sending cease and desist
letters
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on
our site, we may receive compensation.
Recommended for You
CombatSiege
Wenn du eine Maus hast, spiel es für 1 Minute und sieh warum jeder verrückt
danach ist.CombatSiege
Undo
Flint councilman thrown out of meeting after barrage of racial slursMLive.com
Undo
State of Survival
Wenn du älter als 40 bist, ist dieses Spiel ein Muss!State of Survival
Undo
Dear Abby: Should I rat out friend who’s spending funds raised to fix her house
on trips to Europe?MLive.com
Undo
Urlaub in Österreich
Am Hochkönig in Österreich zum Gipfel der Gefühle bikenUrlaub in Österreich
Undo
Saginaw man arrested, accused of sexually assaulting woman he met on
TinderMLive.com
Undo
by Taboolaby Taboola
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Promoted LinksPromoted Links
Ad
Unmute
FOOTER NAVIGATION
About Us
* Contact Us
* Jobs at MLive
* MLive Media Group
* Our Team
* Advertise
Subscriptions
* MLive.com
* Newsletters
* The Ann Arbor News
* The Bay City Times
* The Flint Journal
* The Grand Rapids Press
* Jackson Citizen Patriot
* Kalamazoo Gazette
* Muskegon Chronicle
* The Saginaw News
Already a Subscriber
* Manage your Subscription
* Place a Vacation Hold
* Make a Payment
* Delivery Feedback
MLive Sections
* Jobs
* Autos
* Real Estate
* Rentals
* Classifieds
* News
* Business
* Sports
* High School Sports
* Betting
* Life
* Opinion
* Obituaries
Your Regional News Pages
* Saginaw
* Jackson
* Kalamazoo
* Muskegon
* Ann Arbor
* Bay City
* Flint
* Grand Rapids
Mobile
* Mobile apps
More on MLive
* Video
* Weather
* Post a job
* Archives
* Classifieds
* Sell your car
* Sell/Rent your home
* Sponsor Content
Follow Us
* Twitter
* Facebook
* YouTube
* RSS
DISCLAIMER
Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of
our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy
Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023).
Cookies Settings
© 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us).
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted,
cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance
Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this
site.
YouTube’s privacy policy is available here and YouTube’s terms of service is
available here.
Ad Choices
COOKIE INFORMATION
We process user data to deliver (and measure the delivery of) content or
advertisements, generate insights and reports to understand service usage,
and/or access or store information on devices for that purpose. Please see below
to learn why we process data and exercise your preferences for processing,
and/or see our partners. If you are unable to change these cookies settings,
your detected location is outside of the region that is able to do so.
Continue to Site
COOKIE CATEGORIES
STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES
Always Active
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched
off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you
which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy
preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to
block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then
work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
PERFORMANCE COOKIES
Always Active
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and
improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the
most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All
information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you
do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and
will not be able to monitor its performance.
FUNCTIONAL COOKIES
Always Active
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and
personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose
services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then
some or all of these services may not function properly.
TARGETING COOKIES
Always Active
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may
be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you
relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal
information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet
device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted
advertising.
OTHER COOKIES
Always Active
Other Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by us or our partners. These are
cookies that may allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure
and improve the performance of our site. If you do not allow these cookies we
will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor
its performance.
Confirm My Choices
Back Button
Back
PERFORMANCE COOKIES
Vendor Search Search Icon Filter Icon
Clear Filters
Information storage and access
Apply
Consent Leg.Interest
All Consent Allowed
Select All Vendors
Select All Vendors
All Consent Allowed
Confirm My Choices