Naperville trustee's lawsuit gets longer

Naperville city Councilman Richard Furstenau is adding former city manager Peter Burchard, police union President Joe Matchett and city attorney Margo Ely to his federal lawsuit that accuses the city and police of a campaign to "jail, silence and politically destroy" him.

The three new defendants were added to the suit just days after Matchett, president of the Naperville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 42, called for Furstenau's resignation.

Furstenau's initial complaint, filed in October, named the city and several police officers for their role in an incident last year in which he was arrested on battery charges against an officer. He was later acquitted.

Since that time, Matchett and Burchard have each written open letters blasting Furstenau's conduct toward city employees. Matchett's letter, written Monday, says Furstenau's presence on the council is a conflict of interest.

"The only ethical thing for him to do is resign from his position and allow the employees and the City to move forward in their diligent and professional manner," Matchett wrote.

Furstenau's attorney, Shawn Collins, said Burchard, Ely and Matchett have been part of a campaign to destroy his client by threatening his supporters, falsely accusing him of misconduct and violating the Open Meetings Act to try to censure him.

"All of this is unlawful behavior whose purpose is to punish Dick for suing the city," Collins said. "We understand they don't like the fact that he sued the city. They have a right to feel that way. They don't have a right to retaliate against him because he sued the city."

Jim Sotos, attorney for Ely as well as the police officers in the suit, said the allegations against Ely are defamatory and reckless. Ely might countersue, he said.

"Dick Furstenau has a long, well-documented history of attempting to bully Naperville staff into helping his political friends. This decision of his to sue Margo Ely, who is a very well-respected public servant of high integrity and character, is just the most recent and most reprehensible example of a person who will go to any length to advance his own personal agenda," he said.

Burchard, asked to comment on being added to Furstenau's lawsuit, said, "My goal is to honor the city of Naperville by telling the truth. His goal is different."

Meanwhile, Burchard's attorney, Terry Ekl, called Furstenau's complaint "one of the most ridiculous lawsuits I've ever seen."

Last week, city council members approved drafting a resolution of censure against Furstenau. They will vote on the resolution Tuesday.