Melanie "Mel" Ferrand, who was thrown off the primary ballot because of a paperwork error, is suing the attorneys that were in charge of her filing.
Ferrand, who is a lesbian, intended to run as state representative for the 40th District, a post vacated in 2013 by Deb Mell. Jaime Andrade, Jr., was appointed to fill Mell's spot, and successfully campaigned to keep the seat March 18, despite a crowded field of opponents.
According to Ferrand's complaint, filed March 19, attorney Daniel Johnson incorrectly submitted a receipt for a Statement of Economic Interests issued by the office of the Cook County Clerk, rather than one from the State of Illinois, as is required with primary candidate filings. Ferrand attempted to correct the filing, but was ultimately unable to have her name reinstated to the ballot after an opponent filed an objection.
Ferrand is now asking for $250,000 from Johnson and his firm, Korey Cotter Heather & Richardson. "Plaintiffs were injured and damaged in that Mel Ferrand has been precluded from appearing on the ballot for the Illinois State Representative for the 40th District. As a direct and proximate result, Mel Ferrand was caused damage to her personal and professional reputation and career. Furthermore, as a direct and proximate result, Plaintiffs have lost over $250,000.00 in campaign expenses, including the money spent litigating the objections to Mel Ferrand's candidacy," said the complaint, which also said that Johnson initially admitted to the error.
"After the mistake was discovered, he took full responsibility for the error, then, when push came to shove, he stuck his head in the sand," said political consultant Lowell Jaffe, who Ferrand also retained in the election.
Chris Varones, a spokesman for Johnson, on March 21 called the lawsuit "frivolous," according to the Illinois Observer.
Ferrand's malpractice lawsuit is being handled by David A. Axelrod & Associates.
