Warren Mayor Jim Fouts has always been tight-lipped about his private life, and he’s typically reluctant to reveal his age.
Now, a local attorney, suspicious that the mayor is lying about his age (which fluctuates between 67 and 69) has filed a lawsuit claiming that the city is hiding the truth.
Clinton Township-based attorney Arthur Garton filed a Freedom of Information request with the city, seeking basic election documents that include a candidate’s date of birth. But the FOIA response from the city blacked-out Fouts’ birth date, address and phone number for “privacy and security” reasons.
Garton calls that a FOIA violation and filed suit.
State voter records show that Fouts, a retired teacher, was born in 1944. But Michigan Department of Education teacher certification records show his year of birth as 1942.
Macomb Daily reporter Norb Franz points out that this little dust-up, like all controversies in Warren, is related to politics.
Franz reports that Garton just happens to be a
partner in Warren Councilwoman Kathy Vogt’s law firm. Vogt, of course, has filed to run against Fouts for mayor in the fall.
is suing the city, accusing officials of violating the state Freedom of Information Act for withholding personal details about Mayor James Fouts in requested documents.
In a lawsuit filed in Macomb County Circuit Court, Clinton Township-based attorney Arthur Garton claims the city lacked authority to redact Fouts’ birth date, address and phone number on copies of candidate affidavits.
“The city’s refusal to comply with the FOIA request in a meaningful manner is a violation of the Freedom of Information (law) and is in direct contravention of the mayor’s touted transparency in his administration,” Garton said in a press release.
Garton, a resident of Shelby Township, requested copies of all “affidavits of identity” filed by Fouts since 1978. He also claims the city failed to respond to his FOIA request, received by the city on Feb. 14, in a timely fashion as required by law.
In the city’s response to Garton’s request, Assistant City Attorney Ronald Papandrea provided the affidavits from 2003 — Fouts’ last term on the City Council –- and 2007. But the mayor’s birth date, address and phone number were redacted “for privacy and security reasons,” Papandrea wrote. Papandrea said the same information is contained in voter registration records but that portion cannot be disclosed by government clerks.
Asked to respond to the lawsuit, Fouts told The Macomb Daily he finds it “interesting” that Garton filed the lawsuit because Garton’s law partner, Vogt, has declared her candidacy for mayor this year.
“I find it very interesting that all this would come out just a couple days before the State of the City speech, to change the subject and detract from the speech,” the mayor said.
It’s also worth noting that the candidate affidavits sought by Garton are public information and election officials routinely share them with reporters without any redacting. So, essentially, Fouts wants special treatment.
Fouts has always been an odd duck. Take a look at that ghostly face and take a guess about his age — I would say a contest among the public would produce guesses ranging from 70 to 90.
Yes, Fouts has said he doesn't like to reveal his age because he likes to date younger women. I'm just curious, would anyone want to date this man – young or old?? EEEWWWWWWWW!!!!!
Eeewwww is right!!! I've heard that he's dating a Chaldean women in her 20's!!!!
This is absolutely ridiculous! The city of Warren needs to learn about transparency. As citizens, I believe we have a right to know the age of our Mayor. For instance, I wouldn't vote for someone in their 30's/40's as I believe they are not experienced enough for the job of Mayor. It's time for this guy to go!
Not only is he dating his 20 something secretary, he just gave her a $12,000.00 riase.
This will all come out in the futrue during the budget hearings.
Anyone hear his State of the City speech? He's the only one that detracted and changed the subject of the speech – IT'S HIS SPEECH, HE WRITES IT, HE SAYS IT!!! This was more of a State of Fouts address than anything to do with the city! He also mentioned that according to his opponent "when I was born I was -2" Is he bad at math or was he acknowledging that he's been lying about those two years????
Things that make you go hmmmmmm…..
YUK
Fouts likes his life to be private but has no problem with prying into the personal lives of his employees. To the point where he makes up lies and spreads gossip. This man (if you can even call him that) is pathetic. If you want to get ahead at City Hall just gossip with good ol' Jim and you're sure to win brownie points. PATHETIC.
It has also been alledged that he lied about his date of death
Vote Joseph Hunt for Mayor. Paperwork on-line at Macomb County Campaign Election web site
Mr. Selweski.. Do you really need to stoop to personal commonts on peoples looks and age? This is the kind of thing one should find in the tabloids not from a writer we are supposed to be able to trust to report with an unbiased slant in the Macomb Daily. Cyber bullying and attacks on looks or age should never be tolerated. Even our elementary children are being tought this…sad day for Macomb Daily…
Keep up the good work! This is an issue because, if he's not being truthful about something like his age, what else is he not being truthful about? Just a tip, but the FBI would have a field day investigating misuse of funds here!