Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Lloyd Franklin Jr., has declined to comment on a lawsuit filed against him alleging he does not live in the district he was elected to represent.
In an email to Deltaplex News Wednesday night, Franklin said he would love to comment on the lawsuit but “I truly believe matters before the court need not be tried in the court of public opinion.”
Franklin went on to say, “issues involving myself are just that, very passionate.”
Franklin was sued by former Justice of the Peace Jimmy Fisher who said Franklin listed his address as 4100 S. Hazel St., which is in District 5 of the Quorum Court but said Franklin actually lives at 11 Elmwood Circle and was living there when he signed a certificate of eligibility and political practices pledge to run for Justice of the Peace.
Fisher formerly represented District 5 and last year chose not to seek another term but to run for Jefferson County Tax Collector. He was beaten by current tax collector Tony Washington.
The lawsuit asked a judge to declare the District 5 position vacant and remove Franklin. It will be heard by a special judge since all the judges in Jefferson County removed themselves, citing the appearance of a conflict of interest.