City pays $15K to settle lawsuit over 'Impeach Trump' signs, changes rule

OTSEGO, MI — The city of Otsego has agreed to pay $15,000 to settle a federal lawsuit after a resident who received a ticket for his signs that read “Impeach Trump” took the local government to court.

The city entered into a settlement agreement with local resident Michael Ransbottom in July, Otsego City Manager Aaron Mitchell said. The city paid $9,000 from its general fund and insurance covered $6,000 of the total settlement, Mitchell said.

The lawsuit came after the city received complaints about Ransbottom’s yard signs, including two that said, “Impeach Trump.” Ransbottom was later issued a civil infraction by the city, the lawsuit states.

Under the previous city ordinance, still in effect when the lawsuit was filed, residents were permitted to post one temporary yard sign and an additional political sign, which had to be about a specific ballot issue or political candidate. Ransbottom’s signs were not considered political signs because they are not about a specific political candidate or ballot issue, Mitchell said previously.

Read more: https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2019/08/city-pays-15k-to-settle-lawsuit-over-impeach-trump-signs-changes-rule.html