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Posted on Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 9:10 a.m.

Former assistant AG Andrew Shirvell sues lawyer representing Chris Armstrong

By Cindy Heflin

Andrew-Shirvell-2.jpg

Andrew Shirvell

Marissa McClain | The Michigan Daily

Former assistant Michigan Attorney General Andrew Shirvell has sued the lawyer representing the gay University of Michigan student who alleges Shirvell stalked him and harassed him with posts on Facebook and a blog, the Detroit News reported.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in U.S. District Court against Deborah Gordon, the Bloomfield Hills attorney who represents Chris Armstrong, the openly gay former U-M student body president.

Shirvell was fired for using state resources for his campaign against Armstrong and for lying to investigators during his disciplinary hearing, Attorney General Mike Cox said last November.

His lawsuit alleges Gordon interfered with the attorney general’s internal investigation and that she made false statements against him, the newspaper reported.

Gordon, in a statement e-mailed to AnnArbor.com, said the lawsuit against her is no surprise given that she filed a complaint against Shirvell with the Attorney Grievance Commission and sued him on behalf of Chris Armstrong. "The allegations in this complaint are truly absurd and without any legal or factual basis," she wrote.

Shirvell kept a blog accusing Armstrong of pushing a "radical homosexual agenda" and appeared at several Michigan Student Assembly meetings to protest Armstrong, holding signs — including ones with a rainbow with a swastika drawn over it. Shirvell was at one time banned by university officials from stepping foot on campus but the order was lifted.

Armstrong sought a personal protection order against Shirvell in September, which he later dropped before asking the state bar association to disbar Shirvell. Washtenaw County prosecutors also denied a request for stalking charges to be brought against Shirvell.

Armstrong filed a lawsuit against Shirvell in April, seeking more than $25,000 in damages.

Comments

snapshot

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 : 4:01 a.m.

I can't believe the court allowed such a lawsuit.

Roadman

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.

What has Armstrong really accomplished in Court? -He voluntarily dismissed his personal protection order request - Shirvell wins. -The AAPD refused to go after Shirvell - Shirvell wins. -The Washtenaw County Prosecutor declined to charge Shirvell with stalking, citing First Amendment protections and Armstrong's failure to object to the conduct - Shirvell wins. -The Department of Attorney General fires Shirvell - largely for using state resources and time for personal purposes - but stops short of finding he committed acts of stalking against Armstrong. -Gordon's Attorney Grievance Commission complaint against Shirvell was filed last year by Gordon with no news adverse to Shirvell arising from that complaint as of yet. -Shirvell has a counterclaim against Armstrong in the federal court suit brought by Gordon against Armstrong. -And now he has a lawsuit against Gordon herself. Sounds to me both sides are spinning their wheels and nothing constructive will come out of these actions. I think both sides have been publicity seekers.

alterego

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.

There's going to be a movie about this some day. Reality is frequently more bizarre than fiction.

Sparty

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 6:46 p.m.

I hope his case is dismissed quickly, he is assessed court costs, and is warned that further filings like this will earn him jail time for contempt of court!

Kafkaland

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.

I can't believe that such a person ever rose to Assistant Attorney General, who is given wide proscutorial discretion to enforce the laws of our state presumably in a fair and even-handed way. I guess that just shows how corrupt and dangerous the political patronage system in the state is.

Ron Granger

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.

What's next? I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to sue annarbor.com posters for making fun of his extreme actions.

Matt Cooper

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.

SHHHHH!!!! Don't give him any ideas!

Chase Ingersoll

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 4:08 p.m.

There is a saying about "one getting dirty when wrestling with a pig". The real truth in this situation may be that both sides were "piggish", deserved to find each other, and couldn't run "wee, wee, wee" fast enough to a microphone to squealing loudly about the other covering them in mud. ...munch, munch..slurp, slurp......more popcorn please.

treetowncartel

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 4 p.m.

@ Dan Darbor, Just dress as up as Paul Rubens on Pee Wee's Playhouse.

aanative

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.

Wait - Shirvell's lawsuit alleges false statements? That's rich! Can I sue Shirvell for being a waste of Good Air?

John of Saline

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.

"Egregious waste of common property of the community (oxygen)...."

bedrog

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 3:30 p.m.

The standard illustration of the yiddish word "chutzpah' ( unmitigated gall) is the guy who kills his parents and then pleads for mercy because he's an orphan. That longish anecdote can now be replaced by 1 word: "shirvell"

fjord

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.

I doubt I could adequately express my opinion of Mr. Shirvell without violating AnnArbor.com's conversation guidelines.

cmotdibbler

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.

"Ridicule the homophobe" seems to be the best weapon here.

Matt Cooper

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 : 12:17 a.m.

Or it could maybe be simply that the homophobe's character, attitude and actions have drawn the ire of a large portion of Washtenaw Country proper. Don't attack if you don't want to get attacked. Seems a fairly simply rule to live by to me.

hut hut

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 2:56 p.m.

It doesn't seem to be working. Some people just can't let go.

Dan Darbor

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.

Time is running out on coming up with a scary or creepy Halloween costume.......I wonder if Fantasy Attic sells Andrew Shirvell masks?

David Briegel

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.

Andrew Shirvell, the gift that keeps on giving!

Matt Cooper

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.

This young man needs some serious psychological intervention. I'm wondering how his family feels about his conduct and if they've tried to get him some sort of help.

SMAIVE

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.

Remember, an apple sometimes doesn't fall far from the tree.

hut hut

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.

Wouldn't you think that Shirvell would crawl back under the rock instead of continuing to make himself look like someone who has a grudge and wants revenge? Move on, Mr Shirvell.

Wolf's Bane

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.

Pathetic little man.

Wolf's Bane

Mon, Oct 31, 2011 : 1:26 p.m.

I feel horrible for Andrew Shirvell's family. This guy needs help.