Haddix libel defense: Logsdon remains ‘public figure’

There’s a new twist in the libel lawsuit filed by former Peachtree City Mayor Harold Logsdon against current Peachtree City Mayor Don Haddix.

Haddix has already admitted that he said that Logsdon “came to meetings part drunk” in an email to a city staffer Feb. 22. Haddix also has said he “regrets” making the statement.

In addition to using the public apology as a defense, Haddix is also planning to contend that Logsdon “continues to qualify as a public figure,” according to Haddix attorney John Mrosek of Fayetteville.

Doing so would raise the bar Logsdon has to reach in order to prove libel, Mrosek said in a news release. Under Georgia law, anyone considered a public figure, such as an elected official, must not only prove that the statement was false, but also that it was made with malice.

“We intend to prove fairly early in the case that Mr. Logsdon continues to qualify as a public figure thus requiring him to prove, in addition to the falsity of the statements allegedly made, that they were made with malice,” Mrosek wrote.

To prove the point, Mrosek said he will seek a deposition on Logsdon’s campaign consultant, Cindy Morley, whom Mrosek claims had recently conducted “activities on behalf of Logsdon.”

Last year, Logsdon ran as a candidate for Georgia Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner, but he bowed out of the race prior to the primary due to an illness. Since then, he has not announced candidacy for any public office.

“The law does not recognize a bright line as to when a public figure restores his private status after leaving the public eye,” Mrosek said in the news release. “However, we believe that after the alleged communication by my client that Mr. Logsdon engaged in activity clearly choosing to be treated as a public figure.”

Logsdon, represented by former Peachtree City City Attorney Rick Lindsey, filed the suit May 19 against Haddix personally, electing not to sue him in his official capacity although arguably the email might not have ever taken place had Haddix not been serving as mayor at the time.

By not filing against Haddix in his official capacity, it assures that city resources will not be used to fund his legal representation.