PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — A political dispute inside Pembroke Park has escalated into a lawsuit, with the town’s mayor accusing the town manager of making false statements to police in an effort to remove him from office.
In a complaint filed in Broward County Circuit Court, Mayor Geoffrey Jacobs alleges Town Manager David Lynch falsely reported to law enforcement that Jacobs made violent threats during a phone conversation.
According to the lawsuit, Lynch told authorities that Jacobs said people would be “getting shot,” that “someone’s going to die,” and made statements suggesting imminent violence.
The complaint also states Lynch reported that he feared for his safety and believed others were in danger.
Jacobs denies making any threats.
In the lawsuit, he states he “did not threaten to shoot anyone, did not threaten violence, did not state that someone was going to die, and did not make any statement reasonably construed as a criminal threat.”
The lawsuit alleges Lynch’s statements were “knowingly false and made with reckless disregard for the truth,” and that they were documented in a police report and shared with others, including government officials.
The complaint further alleges Lynch “deliberately exaggerated, distorted, and mischaracterized” the exchange in order to portray the mayor as “dangerous and unstable.”
Jacobs claims the conflict began after he raised concerns about Lynch’s conduct as town manager.
According to the lawsuit, Jacobs reported what he describes as “serious financial irregularities and mismanaging of taxpayers funds” and accused Lynch of dishonesty related to his background, including allegations that Lynch concealed misconduct connected to his legal career in Ohio.
The lawsuit alleges Lynch then attempted to discredit him. It states Lynch “hatched a devious plan to have Jacobs smeared based on completely fabricated and false allegations.”
Jacobs is suing Lynch for defamation and abuse of process. The complaint alleges Lynch made false statements accusing Jacobs of criminal behavior and improperly used legal processes to pursue allegations against him.
According to the lawsuit, Lynch intended the claims to “force Plaintiff to resign or be removed from his position as Mayor.”
The complaint also alleges Lynch attempted to move forward with efforts to remove Jacobs from office while Jacobs was out of state working as a commercial pilot, without notice or an opportunity to be heard.
Jacobs is seeking damages in excess of $1 million and has requested a jury trial.
Lynch has not yet filed a response in the case.
Separately, Lynch has been suspended by the town commission, which has initiated steps toward terminating him for cause. Under his contract, he is entitled to written notice and a hearing before any final decision is made.
Read the complaint below:
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