 |
Sierra Club sued by board candidates over upcoming electionBy Terence Chea, Associated Press Writer, February 10, 2004, San Francisco Chronicle Excerpts: SAN FRANCISCO - Three candidates running for the Sierra Club's governing board have sued the powerful environmental group and its top officials, claiming they are unfairly trying to influence the group's upcoming election. The three candidates - Richard Lamm, Frank Morris and David Pimentel - filed the lawsuit Monday in San Francisco Superior Court against the Sierra Club, president Larry Fahn and executive director Carl Pope. The lawsuit comes during an increasingly bitter struggle between rival factions within the Sierra Club for control of its 15-member board of directors... The candidates claim the Sierra Club and its officials are violating California state law and the organization's own rules by supporting the nominated candidates over the petition candidates. They want the court to bar the club from using resources to back certain candidates and sending out a notice warning members that outside groups are trying to influence the election. "It's a question of a free and fair election," said Jim Turken, an attorney for the plaintiffs. "My clients are seeking a level playing field. That's all they want."
Read the complete article |