Former supporter files small claims action against Kaptur
Written by Kristen Criswell | | krapin@toledofreepress.comMarcy Kaptur’s former memorial chairman, Nick Haupricht, has filed a claim against Kaptur in small claims court on Sept. 17.
Haupricht claims “misguidance by her staff” and is seeking $3,458.02 in the Toledo Municipal Court Lucas County Civil Division. The money covers advertisements in local papers, flyers as well as applications for memorial stones, he said.
Steve Fought, communications director for Kaptur, said the claim is without merit.
“He took actions that weren’t authorized by anyone. He got out ahead of himself and is trying to find someone to blame,” Fought said.
Marcy Kaptur
Hapupritch said he was just following the paperwork given to him by Kaptur’s office.
In December 2009, Haupricht took a leadership role as chairman for the proposed veteran’s garden at the new VA Clinic. In this role, Haupricht was in charge of arranging transportation and a temporary staging area of a memorial stone.
Haupricht sent fliers to more than 400 motorcycle clubs asking bikers to accompany the memorial to its final placement. He said Dan Foote, who is in charge of veterans’ relations in Kaptur’s office, authorized him to send out materials. Haupricht also purchased ad space in local papers.
Meanwhile, Haupricht had been working with Tony Chiaravalloti, who worked for Granites of America in Rhode Island, which housed the memorial, about moving it to Toledo. Chiaravalloti sent a letter to Haupricht stating, “We are reluctant to send the stones until we … can review plans.”
Haupricht had a blueprint of the memorial made up and sent it to Chiaravalloti. Haupricht also began work on applications for stone pavers, or memorial stones, to accompany the memorial.
In May, Haupricht had also been hosting fundraising dinners with actress Chris Noel in attendance. He hosted two dinners at local VA locations; a third scheduled dinner was canceled by Kaptur’s office.
On April 13, Haupricht received a letter from Steve Katich in Kaptur’s office stating that the work on the memorial has been postponed and for Haupricht to suspend any activity promoting the memorial stone and any fundraising for it.
“The quarry owner whose stone it is has stated in order to give the mock up stones reverence they deserve he has offered the stones to communities which either already have a memorial or are currently building one. The completion of a veterans memorial on the campus of the proposed VA outpatient clinic site in Toledo is contingent on the completion of the clinic,” Katich wrote. “Since the clinic completion has been delayed, a veterans memorial cannot move forward.”
The letter also states that a design for the memorial would depend on a design of the clinic and would take “significant planning and organization.” Katich said for Kaptur to participate in any way, House rules require the existence of a nonprofit organization to manage the funding portion of such an effort.
Haupricht said he hadn’t previously been notified of any such stipulations.
Haupricht is currently working as a volunteer for the campaign of Rich Iott, Republican candidate for 9th Congressional District and Kaptur’s opponent.
“Because I can’t get Marcy to represent me in any shape of form, I thought it was time to get one in there that will be my representative,” he said.
Haupricht began volunteering for Iott two weeks ago, he said.
Tags: Marcy Kaptur, Nick Haupricht, Rich Iott
The Iott campaign is the poster child for dirty, ugly politics. They should be ashamed.
This comment was posted on September 17th, 2010 at 12:35 pmA Demonrat, not paying owing up to her bills heh ?
Well, we will all have a very difficult time paying our bills if profligate spending by Kapturd and her fellow travelers in the Fascist World, of Economic psychopaths continues.
REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER: Vote the COW PLOP OUT !!!
This comment was posted on September 17th, 2010 at 12:37 pmThere is always someone willing to go the extra mile in a smear campaign. Iott thought that we would forget what he did with regards to Food Town. We haven’t. He would like to present himself as someone other than the money principled person that he is.
This comment was posted on September 17th, 2010 at 5:57 pmThis sad attempt at smear is coming from the same people who had probed Rep. Kaptur for non existent ethics violations.
I don’t always agree with her policies but at no time will I vote for Rick Iott or his ilk.
To paraphrase “Rich Iott is likable enough”
The filth of his campaign will not get hime elected. The people of Northwest Ohio are smarter than he thinks.
This comment was posted on September 18th, 2010 at 10:38 amI vote for TERM LIMITS ON CONGRESS!!! We need to eliminate career politicians and get business oriented people in office who KNOW something about running a business.
As far as dirty politics, it comes from BOTH sides. BOTH Kaptur AND Iott have their faults! November will tell. GET OUT AND VOTE or SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE!!!
This comment was posted on September 18th, 2010 at 11:19 amWhat a pathetic attempt by the Iott folks. Small Claims Court? Really?
Did the Free Press feel it had to dignify this to cover for the heat it got when it exposed Rich Iott bullying college kids.
This is a very unfortunate turn of events that causes me to wonder if the Free Press is just a malleable rag like the blade. For shame.
This is a seat in the United States Congress folks…not Class President. What a shameful ploy by the Free Press and Iott.
This comment was posted on September 19th, 2010 at 4:27 pm67,000 GREAT PAYING JOBS LOST under the horrid reign of the Polish Princess.
And to the dissolute Demonrats, that is not a concern at all ??!!
Time to go to New Yawk, visit Michael Moore, and discuss the 25% increase of foreclosures from last year at this time.
This comment was posted on September 20th, 2010 at 10:39 amAlso, to talk about the American poverty rate is the highest in 51 YEARS !
And , to do the math of how the Stimulus Waste, garnered 55 jobs in L.A., at a cost of $ 111 MILLION !!!!
Plus, $ 1.5 TRILLION of America’s household worth is GONE, since the TARPUWASTE , was made into Law ??!!
REMEMBER: Vote Kapturd, things can and definitely will get WORSE !!
Tom & Beth Carpenter,
“Did the Free Press feel it had to dignify this to cover for the heat it got when it exposed Rich Iott bullying college kids.”
Why are you going after the Free Press for writing on a story? The Toledo Free Press didn’t file the claim? Would you prefer that the Toledo Free Press only write about articles that shed Marcy Kaptur in a good light? If you are interested in bias material, then I’d suggest you read blogs rather than a news source. What a shameful comment on YOUR part for attacking the Free Press for simply writing about the story — the story is about as objective as you can get highlighting both sides of the story including the fact that Mr. Haupricht works for the Iott campaign.
This comment was posted on September 20th, 2010 at 12:42 pmBOTH RICH IOTT AND NICK HAUPRICHT ARE PHONIES. HOW DARE THEY ATTACK CONGRESSWOMAN MARCY KAPTUR, SHE SERVED UNDER CHAIRMAN S.V.SONNY MONTGOMERY, ON
This comment was posted on September 20th, 2010 at 3:13 pmTHE VETERIANS COMMITTEE AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SUPPORTER OF US VETS. I SERVED 41 YEARS IN THE AIRFORCE ON ACTIVE DUTY AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD, NOT T5HE BOY SCOUTS LIKE RICH RICHEY RICH IOTT, YOU CANT BUY THIS ELECTION RICH