January 1998
Two NJ Libertarians win false arrest case
On April 15th, 1996, Libertarian Party activists John Paff and Timothy Konek were arrested for the "crime" of passing out anti-tax literature on Post Office property in East Brunswick, New Jersey, during a Tax Day rally.
But on November 10th, they got their revenge: A federal judge ordered the town to pay the Libertarians $29,882 in legal fees for their federal civil rights lawsuit against town officials.
"I'm glad the judge ruled in our favor, but I'm sorry that the taxpayer's have to pay," said Paff, the chairman of the Libertarian Party of Somerset & Middlesex Counties. "I wish there was a way to hold public officials personally responsible for the harm they cause."
It's not their money
"What do they care if they step on somebody's rights?" he asked. "It's not their money on the line. They can rely on the taxpayers to foot the bill."Paff and Konek had been arrested outside the Cranbury Road post office on April 15 for handing out mock million-dollar bills as part of the annual nationwide anti-tax protest by the Libertarian Party.
They were charged with "defiant trespass," and jailed for six hours until they each raised $5,000 cash bail -- despite the fact that the courts have held that political protests on Post Office property are not a crime, as long as it doesn't interfere with customers.
After four court appearances, the town prosecutor conceded that the state didn't have a case and dismissed the charges.
Paff and Konek filed suit against the town in federal court earlier this year.
