The Sarasota City Commission voted Monday to cover the legal expenses of embattled commissioner Kyle Battie up to $15,000, with more installments possible as he faces an impending lawsuit.
Battie, who is Black, publicly accused local activist Kelly Franklin of referring to him and local business owner Tanya Borysciewicz as “gorillas” in a Facebook post. The evidence Battie presented before the commission was later found to be a hoax.
Franklin’s attorney, Richard Harrison of Tampa, told the Herald-Tribune Monday he expects to file a formal lawsuit against Battie next week. During public comment, the attorney called on Battie to resign.
Battie remained indignant in the face of blistering outcry against his conduct. He said that he is a victim of discriminatory attacks, and he reprimanded his critics and their enthusiasm to “malign an African-American man.”
Opinion:Sarasota taxpayers shouldn’t be asked to clean up Commissioner Kyle Battie’s mess
“I did think [the allegation] was true, and I still think that it is true until proven that it’s not,” Battie said during the meeting. “Maybe there are ‘experts’ out there that say it’s a hoax. I hope that it’s not, to be honest with you.”