Hardeman Denied Fees’ Reimbursement

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has turned down Inglewood City Councilman Garland Hardeman’s attempt to collect $230,000 in attorney’s fees from the city and former opponent Ervin (Tony) Thomas.

Hardeman and Thomas fought a bitter two-year court battle after Thomas narrowly edged out Hardeman in the 1987 City Council election. Hardeman charged Thomas and his political allies with voter fraud and eventually defeated Thomas in a court-ordered runoff election last October for the District 4 council seat.

The court in September approved $7,300 for Hardeman to cover court costs such as photocopying and filing fees. In a separate action, Judge Barnet Cooperman on May 8 rejected an attempt by Hardeman to recover the cost of attorney’s fees.