Campaign Manager Responds to Gonzalez's Lawsuit Against Faso

Early this morning Sun-Times Media reported mayoral candidate David Gonzalez has filed a lawsuit against his opponent, Chicago Heights Ald. Joseph Faso, for allegedly using mailings and YouTube videos to accuse Gonzalez of selling drugs out of his Chicago Heights accounting firm and using City funds to pay his home mortgage.

The Sun-Times also reports:

The five-count suit seeks injunctive relief against Faso; his campaign manager, Alan Cottrell; Friends of Joseph A. Faso and the Integrity Party to immediately retract the statements made about Gonzalez. The suit also claims slander, libel and civil conspiracy.

While Faso was unavailable for immediate comment, Cottrell said he had not been served a subpoena as of Friday morning, but feels the United States Constitution is on his side.

"The First Amendment is really clear," Cottrell said. "Political speech is protected. I was not aware that David Gonzalez is not familiar with our constitution. I think that before he becomes mayor of Chicago Heights he probably should read the document."

Cottrell went on to accuse Gonzalez's campaign of manipulating city workers and residents.

"They're bullying city employees and other people, residents of the city of Chicago Heights," Cottrell added. "Maybe they're unaware that our political rights are protected by the Constitution."

David Gonzalez had not yet returned phone calls at the time of this post.