Fort Deposit town attorney files lawsuit against councilman-elect

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

The attorney for the town of Fort Deposit has filed a lawsuit against a candidate — who won a seat on the town council in the recent municipal election.

Judge Cleveland Poole heard the first of two allegations brought in the complaint Monday afternoon at the Lowndes County Courthouse.

The hearing focused on whether councilman-elect Steven Thigpen was actually a resident of Fort Deposit.

Evidence presented in court showed that Thigpen used at least three different addresses to conduct his business over the past several years.

Poole set a second hearing set for on October 1st — will deal with allegations that he committed voter fraud during the election.

“Well, there was four, over 450 absentee ballots in an election where only 800 people voted. So, the statistical numbers alone show that it’s, it warrants looking into,” said Ft. Deposit Town Attorney Arlene Richardson.

Action 8 News also reached out to Thigpen’s attorney Michael Strickland of Montgomery after the hearing — but he would not comment on ongoing litigation.