Judge dismisses suit seeking to block Alabama prison leases
KIM CHANDLER, Associated Press
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) A judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit that sought to block Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to lease prisons that would be owned by private companies and operated by the state.
Montgomery Circuit Judge Greg Griffin granted the state s motion to dismiss the lawsuit after rejecting plaintiffs claims that the leases are unconstitutional. Among other grounds, the lawsuit contended the leases violate state law because the massive $3 billion expenditure was not approved by the Alabama Legislature and is an unconstitutional debt. Specifically, this Court finds that the Leases do not constitute a debt to the state, and therefore are not unconstitutional, Griffin wrote.
Judge hears arguments in lawsuit over prison leases
May 14, 2021
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) A judge said Friday that he will decide soon whether to let a lawsuit go forward challenging Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to lease privately owned prisons.
Montgomery Circuit Judge Greg Griffin heard arguments in the state’s request to dismiss the lawsuit that contends the plan violates state law because the massive $3 billion expenditure was not approved by the Alabama Legislature. Griffin indicated he would rule by Monday.
Attorney Kenny Mendelson, of Montgomery, filed the lawsuit in Montgomery County Circuit Court on behalf of four plaintiffs Republican State Auditor Jim Zeigler; Democratic state Rep. John Rogers, of Birmingham; Leslie Ogburn, a homeowner near the proposed prison site outside Tallassee; and prisoner rights activist Rev. Kenny Glasgow of Dothan.