Judge asked to reconsider ruling on Sunshine Act
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
The attorney for Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw and two councilmen told a Westmoreland County judge Friday morning his clients shouldn’t be fined despite a default judgment against them in a lawsuit alleging Sunshine Act violations.
Court of Common Pleas Judge Chris Scherer heard arguments Friday from Shane Gannon, who is representing the defendants — Shorraw and councilmen Gil Coles and Don Gregor — on a motion Gannon filed asking Scherer to reconsider the punishment levied against his clients earlier this month. Former Monessen Mayor Lou Mavrakis filed the suit.
None of the defendants attended Friday’s hearing, and Gannon participated by phone. Mavrakis attended in person.
The suit is one of three that were filed this year against Shorraw, the city, Coles and Gregor, alleging Sunshine Act violations took place during the council’s reorganization meeting Jan. 6. The allegations center around the claim that a private agenda was used, which seemed to be available only to the mayor, and the public was not given a reasonable opportunity to comment on the actions taken.
The default judgment was requested by Mavrakis because the defendants and their attorneys never responded to the original lawsuit and failed to meet several deadlines or file any other motions regarding the suit.
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