|
The below case was filed October 16, 2006
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE, AT KNOXVILLE
JUDY WILLIAMS,
Plaintiff,
vs.
No.: 3:06cv400
REDFLEX TRAFFIC SYSTEMS INC., JURY DEMAND
CITY OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE,
BILL HASLAM as MAYOR OF THE
CITY OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE,
KNOXVILLE CITY COUNCIL,
REDFLEX TRAFFIC SYSTEMS INC., d/b/a
WWW.PHOTONOTICE.COM, MICHAEL L. SULLIVAN, and UNKNOWN,
Defendants.
COMPLAINT
COMES now Plaintiff to hereby sue the above parties as a result of the unlawfully deprives or hinders her access to the
courts, a civil right, on August 8, 2006, when she was sent a City of Knoxville, Tennessee, Red Light Photo Enforcement Program
Notice of Violation/Citation, although innocent.
1. In an effort to obtain more funds for the coffers, the City of Knoxville is attempting to create a utopian society
which uses quasi criminal citations, with trappings of civil procedure, to enforce ordinances which attempt to avoid their
criminal root and foundation, all while recreating a poll tax. As Joe Bailey has stated in public, as an elected member of
the City Council of the City of Knoxville he would like to see the Red Light Photo Enforcement Program expanded into speeding
enforcement. The only step left to reach the Orwellian, utopian, society of the movie "Demolition Man" is the voice activated
citation system to control cursing, today a technical possibility. The Knoxville Red Light Photo Enforcement Program intentionally
trashes the Constitutions of the United States of America and the State of Tennessee due process right to free access to the
courts to defend one¿s self against the State. The City of Knoxville has instituted an illegal and offensive demand
that cited parties pay court processing fees in the amount of $67.50 to merely schedule a hearing to contest the judgment
of a Knoxville Police Officer, who, as a "Star Chamber," acts as an agent of Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., all intended to
obtain without due process the appearance of appropriate quasi-criminal fines. Knoxville Code §17-210 does, as implemented,
deprive persons of the Constitutional presumption of innocence. Access to the Court to dispute the claim by a governmental
entity intending to confiscate property or to assert innocence are fundamental to our society which, like the right to vote,
can not be legislated away as if a hindrance to collection. The City of Knoxville requirement of assessing an administrative
charge for a defendant to respond to a citation (whether civil or criminal) is unique in the United States as no other program
expressly assesses an administrative fee in advance of a hearing, whether administrative or judicial on a criminal citation.
The offensive assessment of a charge to access the Constitutional right to confront an accuser, here the City of Knoxville,
is as offensive as charging a person a sum for the right to vote, a poll tax. The Knoxville Red Light Photo Enforcement Program
is designed to entrap citizens at certain selected intersections, such entrapment includes the marking of roads in violation
of 23 CFR 655, the Manuel on Uniform Traffic Control Devises, and the Tennessee Traffic Design Manuel. Such entrapment by
illegal road markings is compounded by the other forms of contractual agreement or implementation of the provisions of the
contract. This complaint is about maintaining the Constitutional protections available under the United States Constitution
and the State of Tennessee Constitution, and to halt the slide toward a system of laws intentionally designed to avoid Constitutional
protections.
2. The City of Knoxville, contracted with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc.,(hereinafter "Redflex") a private company
with an economic interest in the prosecution of citizens of Knoxville. Defendant Redflex is in the business of inducing governments
into contracting with Redflex for automated citation systems for economic benefit of Reflex. Defendant City intentionally
surrendered the protections to citizens found within the Constitutions of the United States, and Tennessee, which are also
incorporated within Code of Ordinances, City of Knoxville, Tennessee, (hereinafter "Knoxville City Code"), to obtain money.
Further, by participating in the City of Knoxville¿s illegal stop line marking, in violation of 23 CFR 655, the Manuel on
Uniform Traffic Control Devises, and the Tennessee Traffic Design Manuel, it appears that both Defendants share in liability,
under the Tennessee comparative fault allocation, for every automobile accident which occurs in the intersection. The Defendants,
along with Defendant Photonotice, have additionally conspired to prevent the public from accessing public records by contract
to avoid the "Open Records Act" in violation of Tennessee statute.
3. Defendant City, Mayor, and Council did enact a law intentionally designed to surrender the protections to citizens
found within the Constitutions of the United States, and Tennessee, and within Code of Ordinances, City of Knoxville, Tennessee,
(hereinafter "Knoxville City Code") Sec. 19-33 where the citation process is set forth in detail, all violated by Knoxville
City Code Sec. 17-210. While public officials may choose any rational for enacting a law, including false or logically inconsistent
statements, such suspect enactment is not a basis for reversal or finding of unconstitutionality, however, when the effect
of the law is to deprive due process under the law, the statue may be struck. Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections, 383
U.S. 663 (1966) (where the $1.50 annual poll tax was found to violate the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution). Further,
the attempt to decriminalize a statute of the State of Tennessee enacted to protect the public is an illegal grab of power
by the City in violation of the laws of the State of Tennessee.
4. Officer Sullivan is sued for the issuance of a citation where he did not observe the Plaintiff or any other person
violate any statute or ordinance, was not present at any violation, and was acting as an agent for the City of Knoxville,
while assigned to affirm the decisions of Redflex, in furtherance of violation of Constitutional rights.
5. Unknown persons, all expected to be officers of the Police Department of the City of Knoxville, Tennessee, also
signed Notice of Violation/Citations where the Unknown Defendants did not observe Plaintiff or any other person violate any
statute or ordinance, was not present at any violation, and was acting as an agent for the City of Knoxville in furtherance
of violation of Constitutional rights. Additional unknown persons, knew or should have known that the existing road markings
in Knoxville, Tennessee, violate federal road marking standards.
6. The governmental entities are sued under the theory of respondent superior, negligent/grossly negligent supervision,
negligent/grossly negligent training, and vicarious liability under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act.
PARTIES AND JURISDICTION
7. Plaintiff Judy Williams is a resident of Knox County, Tennessee.
8. Redflex Traffic Systems Inc., is a Delaware corporation, whose parent is found in Australia, found in Scottsdale, Arizona,
available for service of process through it¿s registered Agent, National Registered Agents Inc., 1900 Church Street, Ste.
400, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203.
9. Redflex Traffic Systems Inc., d/b/a www.photonotice.com, is a Delaware corporation, whose parent is found in Australia,
found in Scottsdale, Arizona, available for service of process through it¿s registered Agent, National Registered Agents Inc.,
1900 Church Street, Ste. 400, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203. Ownership of the web site www.photonotice.com has not been determined and the nature of the relationship, and form of control or ownership by Redflex Traffic Systems Inc.,
of www.photonotice.com, is unknown.
10. City of Knoxville, Tennessee, is a political subdivision of the State of Tennessee, may be served through it¿s
Mayor, Bill Haslam, City County Building, Knoxville, Tennessee.
11. Bill Haslam, in his official capacity as Mayor of the City of Knoxville, may be served at City County Building, Knoxville,
Tennessee.
12. Knoxville City Council, is the governing body of the City of Knoxville, and may be served through Mayor, Bill Haslam,
presiding officer of the Counsel, at City County Building, Knoxville, Tennessee.
13. Michael L. Sullivan, a police officer in the City of Knoxville Police Department may be served at his employment,
City of Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville, Tennessee.
14. Plaintiff claims include claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and this District Court has jurisdiction of this action pursuant
to 28 U.S.C.A. §§ 1331, 1332(d)(1). Supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims of the Plaintiffs and the Class is
granted by 28 U.S.C. Section 1367.
FACTS
15. On information and belief, Plaintiff Williams received a "Notice of Violation/Citation" number
KR00009126 on or after August 8, 2006, which alleged that the Plaintiff violated "Knoxville City Ordinance Section 17-210(c)(1)"
and that "I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Tennessee the foregoing is true and correct" all
signed by Michael L. Sullivan, Knoxville Police Badge Number 1300. Exhibit A, at 1.
16. By signing the affidavit, Defendant Sullivan, intended to enter an equivalent to a judgment of conviction.
The burden of proof is not on the officer to prove that the event occurred and that the person cited is legally responsible
for the act, the burden is placed on the cited individual, all an intentional component of Knoxville City Ordinance Section
17-210, and the contract between Defendant City and Defendant Redflex.
17. Defendant Sullivan intended that Plaintiff Williams be deprived of $50.00 and that if she wished to dispute
his judgment, that she would need to appeal to Knoxville City Court, all in accord with the contract between Defendant City
and Defendant Redflex.
18. Plaintiff Williams was noticed of her right to a hearing and that if she scheduled a hearing to dispute
the allegation, she "will be assessed $67.50 in court processing fees." Exhibit A, at 4.
19. Plaintiff Williams, according to the citation "Must Select One of the Following Options:" A - pay a $50.00
fine; B - sign an affidavit that the vehicle wassold or stolen, or Identify another Driver, and C - pay the assessed $67.50
in court processing fees to schedule the hearing. Exhibit A, at 4.
20. On information and belief, the assessment of a $67.50 court processing fee to schedule a hearing deprives
or hinders Plaintiff her access to the court to dispute the citation, under the color of law.
21. Defendants provided an "Options" page with the citation, a "Payment Coupon," an "Affidavit" where the Plaintiff
would be required to provide evidence against a third party, or a "Hearing Request" which informs Plaintiff, "To schedule
a hearing you will be assessed a court processing fee of $67.50." Exhibit A, at 2.
22. On information and belief, Defendant Redflex, intentionally reduces the frames captured rate at intersections
for later review, but not available to download, on the web site where a red light enforcement citation may be found at www.photonotice.com to less than standard frame rate, which reduces the information available to Plaintiff to assert any defense, although the
first second of the "violation" is at a standard frame rate.
23. On information and belief, Redflex Traffic Systems Inc., d/b/a www.photonotice.com, (hereinafter "Photonotice")
is owned or controlled by Defendant Redflex a foreign company which is controlling the information obtained by Defendant Redflex
and such retained government documents, with privacy information is subject to intercept on the internet, and such information
is maintained in a manner in violation of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 15 U.S.C. § 6801 et. seq., personally identifiable
financial information protected by the act, and Redflex or Photonotice is failing .
24. On information and belief, the Notice of Violation/Citation language supports the Plaintiffs¿ position that
Defendants presume alleged violators guilty, all without trial or opportunity to be heard, with the Knoxville Police Officer
detailed to Defendant Redflex being the star chamber judge.
25. Knoxville Code § 17-73 provides: "[a]ll fines and forfeitures collected upon conviction or upon the forfeiture of bail
of any person charged with a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be paid into the city treasury and deposited
in the general fund and be expendable as provided by the city charter." Exhibit B (collective cited sections from the Knoxville
Code).
26. Knoxville Code § 17-210(d)(1) provides: "[a]ny violation of subsection (c) of this section shall subject the responsible
person or entity to a civil penalty of $50, without assessment of court costs or fees. Failure to pay the civil penalty or
appear in court to contest the citation on the designated date shall subject the responsible person or entity to assessment
of court costs and fees as set forth in this chapter and chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances."
27. The contract between the City of Knoxville and Defendant Redflex expressly provides that the collection of fines for
traffic violations will be conducted by Redflex. Exhibit "D" of the Redflex Contract states "Redflex will collect all payments
on Citations and will deposit all payments into a lockbox account . . .." Exhibit C, Redflex Contract.
28. Knoxville City Code Sec. 17-181, "Required Position and Method of Turning at Intersections, states: "The driver of
a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows: (1) Right turns. Both the approach for a right turn
and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the righthand curb or edge of the roadway."
29. Knoxville Code Sec. 17-502, Manual and Specifications, states: "All traffic control signs, signals and devices shall
conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices approved by the state department of transportation. All signs and
signals required under this chapter for a particular purpose shall so far as practicable be uniform as to type and location
throughout the city. All traffic control devices so erected and not inconsistent with the provisions of state law or this
chapter shall be official traffic control devices."
30. Knoxville Code Sec. 17-504, Installation Requirements for Enforcement Purposes, states: "No provision of this chapter
for which official traffic control devices are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place
of the alleged violation an official device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily
observant person. Whenever a particular section does not state that official traffic control devices are required, such section
shall be effective even though no devices are erected or in place." This is a similar provision to Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-109(b).
31. The Tennessee Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, at paragraph 6.4, provides that the MUTCD (an apparent reference
to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices cited in 23 C.F.R 655) shall guide the placement of road markings.
32. The Tennessee Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, at paragraph 6.4.2.3, provides that intersections with crosswalk
stop lines must be a minimum of 4' from the crosswalk, and points to figure 6.3 for guidance. Found on Figure 6.3 is the guidance
for 4' to 30' placement of stop line placement where no crosswalk exists, and fails to provide Tennessee guidance for placement
beyond 4' from a crosswalk.
33. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, incorporated into 23 CFR 655, paragraph 3B.16 states "If used, stop
and yield lines should be placed a minimum of 1.2 m (4 ft) in advance of the nearest crosswalk line at controlled intersections,
. . . . In the absence of a marked crosswalk, the stop line or yield line should be placed at the desired stopping or yielding
point, but should be placed no more than 9 m (30 ft) nor less than 1.2 m (4 ft) from the nearest edge of the intersecting
traveled way. Stop lines should be placed to allow sufficient sight distance to all other approaches to an intersection."
34. On information and belief, the Violation Data of the automated red light enforcement program are City of Knoxville
records. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(C).
35. On information and belief, Defendant Redflex retains possession, control, and access of the Violation Data of the automated
red light enforcement program. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(C).
36. On information and belief, persons convicted of any ordinance violation have no expectation of confidentiality of the
conviction and/or the payment of fine.
37. The Redflex Contract provides that the violation data is the property of the City however, that Redflex "shall not
disclose Violation Data or privately disclose or use the Violations Data for any purposes whatsoever except as specified in
[the Redflex Contract] without the prior written consent of the City, except for information that: (1) is or becomes generally
available to the public through no fault of Redflex personal; or (2) is required to be disclosed by law or by a court of competent
jurisdiction." Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(C).
38. Defendant Redflex selects the images which are relied upon by a City of Knoxville police officer, in this case Defendant
Michael L. Sullivan, in the issuance of a Red Light Photo Enforcement Program Notice of Violation/Citation. Exhibit C, Redflex
Contract para. 1.4(D)(2).
39. On information and belief, the only images relied upon, by the officer signing the citation, are the images which the
officer declared under penalty of perjury were reviewed, namely the two images selected by Defendant Redflex for printing.
Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(D)(6).
40. Defendant Reflex exercises oversight and training of the City of Knoxville police officers assigned to the Red Light
Photo Enforcement Program. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(D)(13).
41. Defendant Redflex provided training includes strategies for presenting "Violations Data" in court and judicial proceedings.
Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.15.
42. Defendant Redflex is contractually obligated to "interact with court and judicial personal" by developing the subpoena
process, and controlling the coordination between Redflex, the City, and City Court personnel. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract
para. 1.16.
43. On information and belief, persons convicted of any ordinance violation have no expectation of confidentiality of the
conviction and/or the payment of fine.
44. On information and belief, the effect of this delegation is to allow a private company, with an economic interest in
enforcement, (payment is based on citations paid), to control the access of information to the court, and the presentation
of that information to the court.
45. On information and belief, the stop line viewed in the photograph used by Officer Sullivan to issue the Notice of Violation/Citation,
at the intersection of Western Ave. and Henley Street at the L&M Station prior to the parking lot entrance, is 80' from
the edge of the crosswalk and is therefore is by 50' in violation of 23 C.F.R 655, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices,
and Tennessee Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
46. On information and belief, federal funds have been used in the construction, expansion, maintenance, modification,
or otherwise, on either Western Ave., also known as a Tennessee Hwy. and Henley Street, also known as U.S. Hwy. 441, at the
intersection of these roads and therefore Defendant City of Knoxville must apply the standard cited within 23 C.F.R 655, Manual
on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
47. On information and belief, the City of Knoxville traffic engineering department routinely violates, 23 C.F.R 655, Manual
on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and Tennessee Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Examples exist such as the Weisgarber
and Papermill intersection, and the obviously modified stop line placement for the benefit of Braden¿s Fine Furniture &
Interiors at 1335 Western Ave., among others.
48. On information and belief, upon placement of the camera system at the intersection of Western Ave./W. Summit Hill &
Henley St., Defendant Redflex knew or should have known of the violation of the aforementioned traffic manuals.
49. On information and belief, Defendant Redflex accepted the violation as a benefit for the Defendant corporation in that
the trigger for the camera operation would be the crossing of the improperly placed stop line.
50. On information and belief, Plaintiff¿s vehicle was photographed crossing the illegally or improperly placed stop line
when the traffic light for the intersection was red. The Plaintiff is clearly stopped in the second photograph prior to the
crosswalk. The second photograph clearly shows a stopped vehicle, but cites that the stopped vehicle speed is 31 MPH.
51. It is proper for a vehicle to stop prior to a crosswalk when making a right turn at a red light. Tenn. Code Ann. §
55-8-149, and Knoxville Code Sec. 17-178.
52. Other non-criminal citations, such as a parking citation, Knoxville Code Sec. 17-331, Overtime Parking, provides for
citing the vehicle owner, but such is accomplished by physically placing the citation on the vehicle, and provides for a date
to appear and contest the citation.
53. On information and belief, more than 10,000 Photo Enforcement Program Notice of Violation/Citation have been issued.
54. On information and belief, all except one of the more than 10,000 Photo Enforcement Program Notice of Violation/Citation
have paid a $50.00 fine or have been assessed the $50.00 fine and court costs of $67.50, whether paid or not paid. Further,
that all such sums have been obtained with the color of law and a depravation of property such that the parties who have benefitted
from the confiscations should be required to forfeit the money and such money be returned to lawful owner, and any unpaid
sum be expunged.
55. The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution states in part, " . . .nor shall any person . . . be compelled in any criminal
case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, . . . ."
Additional protections found within the Constitution include: Sixth Amendment "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have
been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of
the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his
favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense." The Fourteenth Amendment states at Section 1, "All persons
born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of
the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of
citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of
law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
56. On information and belief, Knoxville Code Section 17-210 does, as implemented, deprive persons of the right to confront
witnesses, right to speedy trial, and obtain counsel without prepaying a tax to the City when attempting to schedule a hearing,
all without due process of law.
57. On information and belief, Knoxville Code Section 17-210 does, as implemented, deprive persons of property without
due process of law, and denies equal protection of the law.
58. On information and belief, Knoxville Code Section 17-210 does, as implemented, deprive persons of property without
due process of law, and by placing the burden of proof on the car owner, deprives the car owner of the Constitutional presumption
of innocence.
59. On information and belief, Defendant City of Knoxville failed to monitor, train, control, or otherwise take appropriate
steps to supervise Defendant Sullivan, and others assigned similarly.
60. On information and belief, Defendant City of Knoxville, did intentionally assign Defendant Sullivan, and others, to
a duty intended to deprive citizens there right of access to the court without prepayment.
61. On information and belief, the City of Knoxville, retains fines obtained from paid citations, which are required to
be returned to the general fund of the State of Tennessee.
CLAIMS
SECTION 1983 and 1988
(An Act Under Color of Law to Deprive Access to the Court)
62. Plaintiff adopts and restates the previous paragraphs.
63. Plaintiff is a member of the class the statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, was enacted to protect.
64. Defendants, Knoxville and/or Defendant Redflex , in agreement, started or caused someone else to start the
criminal proceeding against the plaintiff.
65. Defendants acted under the color of law to harm Plaintiff, and the public.
66. Defendants, Knoxville and/or Defendant Redflex knew or should have known that Defendant Knoxville was in
violation of 23 C.F.R 655, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in the marking of roads selected for inclusion in the
Photo Enforcement Program.
67. Defendants caused or directed Defendant Sullivan to issue a citation to deprive Plaintiff of money and which
will subject her to further harm if unpaid, all under the color of law, intentionally depriving Plaintiff of her access to
the Courts under the due process, confrontation, and taking clauses of the Constitution, without necessity of paying a $67.50
de facto tax prior to any finding of guilt.
68. Plaintiff suffered damages for harm to reputation in the community, humiliation, fright, shame, embarrassment,
anger, chagrin, disappointment, and worry.
69. Plaintiff claims damages for the denial of proper access to the Court to defend herself, in the amount of
$1,000,000.00, punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trail, and her attorney fees, available under 42 U.S.C. §
1988.
SECTION 1983 and 1988
(Decriminalization of State Statute)
70. Plaintiff adopts and restates the previous paragraphs.
71. The Tennessee Supreme Court has held that "it is uniformly held that a municipality may not pass an ordinance
which conflicts with a statute, or indeed with a legislative policy, of the state." City of Memphis v. Southern Ry. Co.,
67 S.W.2d 552, 553 (Tenn. 1934.); see also Katzenberger v. Lawo, 16 S.W. 611 (Tenn. 1891) (where the City of Memphis
attempted to suspend, alter, or change a general statute and the Court ruled the effort a nullity).
72. The State of Tennessee did criminalize failure to obey traffic control devise, the red light, at Tenn. Code
Ann. § 55-8-109.
73. In order to protect the public the Tennessee Department of Safety has established a system of administrative
suspension of a driver licence in order to protect the public from habitual offenders. Tenn. R. & Reg. 1340-1-4.01.
74. Tennessee Department of Safety has assigned a point value of 4-points to any violation of a traffic control
device statute at Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-109, Tenn. R. & Reg. 1340-1-4.03.
75. That upon the accumulation of sufficient points within a one year period, twelve (12), the Department of
Safety shall issue a Notice of Proposed Suspension. Tenn. R. & Reg. 1340-1-4.04.
76. That the City of Knoxville, for non-automated citations, does require obedience of traffic control device,
Knoxville Code § 17-503, and such violation is a misdemeanor reported to the Tennessee Department of Safety, Knoxville Code
§ 17-47, for assignment of points and other Tennessee Department of Safety purposes.
77. The City of Knoxville, has decriminalized, and ceased reporting, failure to obey traffic control devise
at automated enforcement intersections. Knoxville Code § 17-210.
78. The intentional effort by the City of Knoxville to avoid the reporting requirement mandated by Tennessee
law, is in conflict with the statute and legislative intent to protect the public through the Tennessee Department of Safety
driver license improvement program, an unconstitutional grab of State power by the City. See City of Bartlett v. Hoover,
571 S.W.2d 291 (Tenn. 1978) (where a municipality, by ordinance, may not contravene the established statutes of the state
and there can be no direct conflict between a provision of an ordinance and an act of the general assembly).
79. Plaintiff seeks an order declaring the act of the City of Knoxville, void, and therefore any liability of
the Plaintiff under the void ordinance, Knoxville Code § 17-210, a nullity, and that such enactment was a violation of the
Plaintiffs Constitutional rights.
80. Plaintiff claims damages for the denial of proper access to the Court to defend herself, in the amount of
$1,000,000.00, punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trail, and her attorney fees, available under 42 U.S.C. §
1988.
81. Plaintiff claims that the Defendants must disgorge themselves of the obtained funds and return the money
to the parties from whom Defendants using unconstitutional practices did seize the money from, and that her attorneys be compensated
in accord with the common fund doctrine for the benefit accruing to the beneficiaries of the litigation.
SECTION 1983 and 1988
(Contract to Deprive Civil Rights)
82. Plaintiff adopts and restates the previous paragraphs.
83. Tennessee Courts have held that "[n]o governmental entity can by contract deprive itself of inherent powers
necessary to the performance of its functions or of power or duty imposed upon it by prior express statutory or constitutional
provision." Batson v. Pleasant View Utility Dist., 592 S.W.2d 578, 581 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1979)(citations omitted); see
also Broyles v. State, 341 S.W.2d 724, 726 (Tenn. 1960).
84. The United States Supreme Court has held that the powers exercised by municipalities "must be granted in
express words, or necessarily to be implied [from the express words]." Detroit Citizens¿ St. Ry. Co. v. Detroit Ry., 171 U.S.
48, 54 (U.S. 1898).
85. The Tennessee Supreme Court has historically held that "[t]he delegation of sovereign power is, in itself,
an act of sovereignty, and can only be made by the constituent body in whom the original power resides, or by its express
authority." State v. Armstrong, 35 Tenn. [634, 655 (1856)]. See also Op. Tenn. Att¿y Gen. No. 06-150 (Oct. 2,
2006).
86. The Attorney General of the State of Tennessee has opined that a contract between a municipality and a third
party that involves "the issuance of citations to such violators . . . ." by that third party violates the principle that
a state¿s sovereign powers may not be delegated to third parties. Op. Tenn. Att¿y Gen. No. 06-150 (Oct. 2, 2006). Such a contract
"is effectively delegating to the private company . . . the manner of enforcement and the enforcement itself of the city¿s
traffic ordinances." Op. Tenn. Att¿y Gen. No. 06-150 (Oct. 2, 2006).
87. The Attorney General of the State of Tennessee has opined that a contract between a municipality and a third
party that involves "the collection of fines" by that third party violates the principle that a state¿s sovereign powers may
not be delegated to third parties. Op. Tenn. Att¿y Gen. No. 06-150 (Oct. 2, 2006). Such a contract "is effectively delegating
to the private company . . . the manner of enforcement and the enforcement itself of the city¿s traffic ordinances." Op. Tenn.
Att¿y Gen. No. 06-150 (Oct. 2, 2006).
88. Knoxville Code § 17-73 provides: "[a]ll fines and forfeitures collected upon conviction or upon the forfeiture
of bail of any person charged with a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be paid into the city treasury
and deposited in the general fund and be expendable as provided by the city charter."
89. Knoxville Code § 17-210(d)(1) provides: "[a]ny violation of subsection (c) of this section shall subject
the responsible person or entity to a civil penalty of $50, without assessment of court costs or fees. Failure to pay the
civil penalty or appear in court to contest the citation on the designated date shall subject the responsible person or entity
to assessment of court costs and fees as set forth in this chapter and chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances."
90. The contract between the City of Knoxville and Redflex expressly provides that the collection of fines for
traffic violations will be conducted by Redflex. Exhibit "D" of the Redflex Contract states "Redflex will collect all payments
on Citations and will deposit all payments into a lockbox account . . .." Exhibit C, Redflex Contract.
91. On information and belief, the Redflex Contract violates Knoxville Code § 17-73 and such deposit of funds is actually
barred by existing ordinance and a contract is void contract when the provisions of the contract are in conflict with the
laws which govern the contract. The Redflex Contract is void. See also Shavitz v. City of High Point, COA 05-571 (N.
C. Ct. App. May 16, 2006) attached hereto at Exhibit D.
92. The assessed court processing fee of $67.50 which is assessed in order to schedule a hearing is initially paid to Redflex
and then shared by the City of Knoxville in a split of 85% Redflex 15% City of Knoxville according to Exhibit "D" of the Redflex
Contract. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract.
93. If the payment is received by the City of Knoxville, then the City must forward the entire payment to Redflex according
to Exhibit "D" of the Redflex Contract , therefore the City of Knoxville never has control of the payments made to Redflex
until after deposit, all such payments only subject to administrative accounting by Redflex after deposit.
94. Redflex is impermissibly exercising police power by controlling the images which are relied upon by a City of Knoxville
police officer, in this case Defendant Michael L. Sullivan, in the issuance of a Red Light Photo Enforcement Program Notice
of Violation/Citation. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(D)(2).
95. On information and belief, the only images relied upon, by the officer signing the citation, are the images which the
officer declared under penalty of perjury were reviewed, namely the two images selected by Defendant Redflex for printing.
Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(D)(6).
96. Reflex is exercising oversight and self serving training of the City of Knoxville police officers assigned to the Red
Light Photo Enforcement Program and such close continuous relationship is an element of a supervisory relationship which is
an impermissible exercise of police power by a private company for profit. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(D)(13).
97. Defendant Redflex provided training includes strategies for presenting "Violations Data" in court and judicial proceedings,
an impermissible intrusion into prosecutor functions, and an apparent effort to train officers to prosecute alleged offenders
whom they did not personally observe violating any statute, and therefore a planned contractual effort to train non-attorneys
to present hearsay as fact and to act as prosecutors. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.15.
98. Defendant Redflex is contractually obligated to "interact with court and judicial personal" in an impermissible exercise
of police power by developing the subpoena process, and controlling the coordination between Defendant Redflex, the City,
and City Court personnel all of which is an impermissible exercise of police power by Defendant Redflex and an unconstitutional
delegation of governmental authority. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.16. The effect of this delegation is to allow a
private company, with an economic interest in enforcement, (payment is based on citations paid), to control the access of
information to the court, and the presentation of that information to the court.
99. Defendant Redflex is granted ownership of evidence which is to be used in a court proceeding which is an impermissible
transfer of governmental right and power to a private company, and a violation of Constitutional protection provided to defendants.
100. Plaintiff seeks an order declaring the act of the City of Knoxville, void, and therefore any liability of the Plaintiff
under the void ordinance, Knoxville Code § 17-210, a nullity, and that such enactment was a violation of the Plaintiff¿s Constitutional
rights.
101. Plaintiff seeks an order declaring the contract between the City of Knoxville and Defendant Redflex, void and therefore
any effort by Defendant Redflex to collect any claimed sum derived from the contract or any liability of the Plaintiff under
the void ordinance, Knoxville Code § 17-210, a nullity, and that such contract is a violation of the Plaintiff¿s Constitutional
rights.
102. Plaintiff claims damages for the denial of proper access to the Court to defend herself, in the amount of $1,000,000.00,
punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trail, and her attorney fees, available under 42 U.S.C. § 1988.
103. Plaintiff claims that the Defendants must disgorge themselves of the obtained funds and return the money to the parties
from whom Defendants using unconstitutional practices did seize the money from, and that her attorneys be compensated in accord
with the common fund doctrine for the benefit accruing to the beneficiaries of the litigation.
SECTION 1983 and 1988
(Contract Revenue Sharing to Deprive Civil Rights)
104. Plaintiff adopts and restates the previous paragraphs.
105. The assessed court processing fee of $67.50 which is assessed in order to schedule a hearing is initially paid to
Defendant Redflex and then shared by the City of Knoxville in a split of 85% Defendant Redflex 15% City of Knoxville. Exhibit
C, Redflex Contract at Exhibit D.
106. If the payment is received by the City of Knoxville, then the City must forward the entire payment to Defendant Redflex
according to Exhibit D of the Redflex Contract , therefore the City of Knoxville never has control of the payments made to
Defendant Redflex until after deposit, all such payments only subject to administrative accounting by Defendant Redflex after
deposit.
107. Knoxville Code § 17-73 provides: "[a]ll fines and forfeitures collected upon conviction or upon the forfeiture of
bail of any person charged with a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be paid into the city treasury
and deposited in the general fund and be expendable as provided by the city charter."
108. Knoxville Code § 17-210(d)(1) provides: "[a]ny violation of subsection (c) of this section shall subject the responsible
person or entity to a civil penalty of $50, without assessment of court costs or fees. Failure to pay the civil penalty or
appear in court to contest the citation on the designated date shall subject the responsible person or entity to assessment
of court costs and fees as set forth in this chapter and chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances."
109. The contract between the City of Knoxville and Defendant Redflex expressly provides that the collection of fines for
traffic violations will be conducted by Defendant Redflex. Exhibit "D" of the Redflex Contract states "Redflex will collect
all payments on Citations and will deposit all payments into a lockbox account . . .." Exhibit C, Redflex Contract at Exhibit
D.
110. On information and belief, the Redflex Contract violates Knoxville Code § 17-73 and such deposit of funds is actually
barred by existing ordinance.
111. Plaintiff seeks an order declaring the Contract between the City of Knoxville and Defendant Redflex, void and therefore
any liability of the Plaintiff under the void ordinance, Knoxville Code § 17-210, a nullity, and that such enactment was a
violation of the Plaintiffs Constitutional rights.
112. Plaintiff claims damages for the denial of proper access to the Court to defend herself, in the amount of $1,000,000.00,
punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trail, and her attorney fees, available under 42 U.S.C. § 1988.
113. Plaintiff claims that the Defendants must disgorge themselves of the obtained funds and return the money to the parties
from whom Defendants using unconstitutional practices did seize the money from, and that her attorneys be compensated in accord
with the common fund doctrine for the benefit accruing to the beneficiaries of the litigation.
SECTION 1983 and 1988
(Injunction)
114. Plaintiff adopts and restates the previous paragraphs.
115. The injury to the Plaintiff is capable of repeating and therefore an injunction to order Defendants to
cease acting in a manner which violates Constitutional guarantees of due process is necessary.
116. Plaintiff seeks temporary and permanent injunctions to suspend enforcement of Knoxville Code § 17-210.
OPEN RECORDS ACT
117. Plaintiff adopts and restates the previous paragraphs.
118. On information and belief, the records of the City of Knoxville are records which are available for public
inspection, Tenn. Code. Ann. § 10-7-503.
119. On information and belief, Defendant Redflex, is a quasi-governmental agency within the meaning of Memphis
Publishing Co. v. Cherokee Children & Family Services, Inc., 87 S.W.3d 67, 78 (Tenn. 2002).1
1 "Under Tennessee Public Records Act, the public should have access to the records of every private entity which
provides any specific, contracted-for services to governmental agencies, and while a private business does not open its records
to public scrutiny merely by doing business with, or performing services on behalf of, state or municipal government, when
an entity assumes responsibility for providing public functions to such an extent that it becomes the functional equivalent
of a governmental agency, the Tennessee Public Records Act guarantees that the entity is held accountable to the public for
its performance of those functions." Memphis Publishing Co. v. Cherokee Children & Family Services, Inc., 87 S.W.3d
67, 78 (Tenn. 2002).
120. On information and belief, the Violation Data of the automated red light enforcement program are City of
Knoxville records. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(C).
121. On information and belief, Defendant Redflex retains possession, control, and access of the Violation Data
of the automated red light enforcement program. Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(C).
122. The Redflex Contract provides that the violation data is the property of the City however, that Defendant
Redflex "shall not disclose Violation Data or privately disclose or use the Violations Data for any purposes whatsoever except
as specified in [the Redflex Contract] without the prior written consent of the City, except for information that: (1) is
or becomes generally available to the public through no fault of Redflex personal; or (2) is required to be disclosed by law
or by a court of competent jurisdiction." Exhibit C, Redflex Contract para. 1.4(C).
123. Defendant Redflex has delegated, internally or contractually, response to Plaintiff request to view her
images using the method, the only method, provided in the citation, to Defendant Photonotice and such set of images are a
redacted set without a manner to copy or retain the images.
124. The City of Knoxville has violated the statutory intent of Tenn. Code. Ann. § 10-7-503 when the City entered
a contract which limits public access to traffic enforcement records and requires that persons seeking access to Violation
Data obtain written approval for such public review of the data.
125. The intentional violation of the Open Records Act is apparent as this provision appears to agree with the
Knoxville Code requirement that no reporting of violations to the Tennessee Department of Safety shall occur. Knoxville Code
§ 17-210.
126. The safety of the public is adversely impacted by this violation of the Tennessee Open Records act as automobile
insurance companies should be able to access the Violations Data to determine which drivers are operating vehicles in an inappropriate
manner and adjust their insurance rate accordingly, all of which protects or furthers protection of the public.
127. Such contract is void as against the Tenn. Code. Ann. § 10-7-503, and the decisions of the Tennessee Supreme
Court which has held that private companies which assume governmental function are subject to the provisions of the act.
128. Plaintiff sought to review her records and such records have been redacted in an impermissible manner.
129. That redaction of the images is a violation of the Open Records Act.
130. That the intentional failure to provide a method to copy the images is a violation of the Open Records
Act.
131. That the contractual provision to limit access to the citations is a violation of the Open Records Act.
132. Plaintiff seeks an injunction barring defendants from enforcement of the offensive contractual provision,
and which directs Defendants to obey the law, Tenn. Code. Ann. § 10-7-503.
133. Plaintiff seeks her attorney fees, available under the statute.
OPEN RECORDS ACT
(Injunction)
134. Plaintiff adopts and restates the previous paragraphs.
135. The injury to the Plaintiff is capable of repeating and therefore an injunction to order Defendants to
cease acting in a manner which violates the State of Tennessee access to the records of government and private agents whom
accept the functional equivalent of a governmental agency.
136. Plaintiff seeks temporary and permanent injunctions to suspend the City of Knoxville contract with Defendant
Redflex, and between Defendant Redflex and Defendant Photonotice until the contract is revised in a manner consistent with
the Tennessee Open Records Act.
OUTRAGEOUS CONDUCT / INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
137. Plaintiff re-alleges above paragraphs as if fully set forth, and alleges the following:
138. Tennessee state law allows for a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, the standard of
such a claim being set forth in Miller v. Willbanks, 8 S.W.3d 607 (Tenn., 1999). The Tennessee Supreme Court in Miller
set forth the standard for intentional infliction of emotional distress as follows, "the tort typically exists when the recitation
of the facts [of a commission of the tort] to an average member of the community would arouse his resentment against the actor,
and lead him to exclaim ¿Outrageous¿!" Id. at 616. The Court in Miller also sets forth the types of distress
that may be remedied, which include: "fright, horror, grief, shame, humiliation, embarrassment, anger, chagrin, disappointment,
worry, and nausea." Id. at 616.
139. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant¿s conduct meets the exacting standard of intent set forth in Miller
because the conduct as it relates to Plaintiff would cause the average member of the community to exclaim "Outrageous!"
140. Plaintiff suffered damages for harm to reputation in the community, humiliation, shame, embarrassment,
anger, chagrin, disappointment, and worry.
141. Defendant¿s conduct rises to the level of intent set forth in Miller, Plaintiff seeks an award of $1,000,000.00
in compensatory damages and punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
NEGLIGENCE/GROSS NEGLIGENCE
142. Plaintiff re-alleges above paragraphs as if fully set forth, and alleges the following:
143. Defendant s City of Knoxville, Mayor, and City Council, did negligently, or with gross negligence, fail
to properly supervise or train Defendant Sullivan.
144. Defendants City of Knoxville, Mayor, and City Council, have a duty to properly supervise and train law
enforcement officers to protect the public from uncontrolled abuse of power and are negligent or grossly negligent for failing
to properly supervise employees who act in a manner inconsistent with Constitutional provisions.
145. Defendant Sullivan did negligently, or with gross negligence, cause a citation to be issued and Plaintiff
liable for a charge the defendants knew or should have known should not be filed.
146. Defendant Redflex knew or should have known that intersections fail to comply with the standards of
23 CFR 655 and failed to take any step to inform the City of Knoxville.
147. Defendant Redflex benefitted financially from the failure to inform the public or the City of Knoxville
of the violations of 23 CFR 655.
148. Defendant Redflex, by contracting to assist the City of Knoxville in the establishment of a photo enforcement
program, and actually assisting the City of Knoxville, accepted a duty to the public to protect the public from the potential
abuse that a photo citation system is subject, and Defendant Redflex failed in the duty to prevent abuse of the photo citation
system.
149. Plaintiff claims damages in the unpaid $50.00 fine, and unpaid administrative cost of $67.50, additional
damages in the amount of $1,000,000.00, in compensatory damages.
150. Plaintiff claims that the Defendants must disgorge themselves of the obtained funds and return the money
to the parties from whom Defendants using unconstitutional practices did seize the money from, all members of the Class, that
each member of the class individually receive $1,000,000.00 in damages for the negligent conversion of funds.
CIVIL CONSPIRACY
151. Plaintiff re-alleges above paragraphs as if fully set forth, and alleges the following:
152. That in committing the acts alleged herein, Defendants, acting in concert, committed the act of civil conspiracy,
under state law and 42 U.S.C. § 1985, by agreeing to act together to harm the Plaintiff, and other members of the public,
each acting for the purpose of promoting or facilitating the commission of harm against Plaintiff, agreeing that one or more
will engage in these acts.
153. That Defendant Sullivan has a duty to Plaintiff to reasonably enforce the statutes of the State of Tennessee.
154. That Defendants City of Knoxville and/or Defendant Redflex did actually act in concert to harm the Plaintiff
for the reasons set forth above.
155. Plaintiff seeks an award of $1,000,000.00 in compensatory damages.
156. That punitive damages are appropriate in an amount to be calculated.
157. That defendants are jointly and severally liable for the damages.
VICARIOUS LIABILITY
158. Defendant Sullivan, employee of Knoxville City Police Department, under the supervision and control
of the department, acting with color of office, in furtherance of the duty or duties assigned to him.
159. Defendant Mayor Haslam, is responsible for the actions of its agents which those agents took in it¿s behalf.
160. Defendant City of Knoxville is vicariously liable for the actions and inactions by employees which contributed,
directly or indirectly, to the harm suffered, which occurred with color of office, while individual defendant was on duty
with the Knoxville City Police Department.
161. Defendant Mayor Haslam, and Defendant City of Knoxville, are jointly and severally liable for the actions
of their agent which occur with color of office. Defendant Mayor Haslam and Defendant City of Knoxville is vicariously liable
for the actions and inactions by employees which contributed, directly or indirectly, to the harm suffered, which occurred
with color of office, while Defendant Sullivan was on duty with the City of Knoxville Police Department.
162. Defendants are liable, under the Governmental Tort Liability Act, for the negligent supervision and/or
the negligent or grossly negligent training of their employees, and for the conduct of their agents.
163. Defendants are liable under the federal statutes for the conduct of their agents.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays:
That service of process be issued and that Defendants be ordered to appear and answer this complaint.
That Plaintiff elect her remedy where appropriate.
That a jury of 12 hear this matter.
That a temporary injunction and a permanent injunction be granted against Defendant City of Knoxville to
bar enforcement of Knoxville Code Sec. 17-210, by any officer of the law until such time as the Constitutional infirmities
of the ordinance are removed.
That a temporary and a permanent injunction be granted against Defendant City of Knoxville, Defendant Redflex,
and Defendant Photonotice until the contract and conduct of the parties conforms to the requirements of the Tennessee Open
Records Act.
That the contract between Defendant City of Knoxville and Defendant Redflex be declared ultra vires
and therefore void and that Defendant Redflex abandon all efforts to collect any sum due, and to disgorge itself of funds
gained by the enforcement of the Redflex Contract.
That Plaintiff be reimbursed for costs, expenses, and attorney fees.
That Plaintiff be granted such further and general relief to which she is entitled.
THIS IS THE FIRST APPLICATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY PROCESS IN THIS CAUSE
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
s/David B. Hamilton
DAVID B. HAMILTON (020783)
Attorney for Plaintiff
P.O. Box 12891
1810 Merchant Drive, Ste. 1
Knoxville, TN 37912
865.219.9250 / 865.219.7982 fax
dbh@dbhamilton.com
|