Local NAACP chapter wins in court, splits over money

Local NAACP chapter wins in court, splits over money

‘ In my opinion, it’s not about the money,’ says county VP

news@theeveningtimes.com

The Crittenden County NAACP has won again in circuit court.

The local group had been previously awarded $117,000 at the expense of the national organization for interfering with a chapter officers election seven years ago. The money was banked by the group’s attorney at the time, Roy “Bill” Lewellen. Lewellen was subsequently fired by the county chapter for holding the money. While the West Memphis based chapter won on the slate of legal issues brought against it by a member and Quorum Court Justice Hubert Bass in circuit court earlier in October, a faction of members have to contended to become the recognized authority over the county chapter.

“It did not start off that way until the money,” said county chapter vice-president Rubye Johnson. “We had understandings all along, but when money got involved, it changed everybody’s thinking.”

Ten issues were at stake around cash in the suit and the judge ordered in favor of the Crittenden County NAACP. One of the issues Bass pressed was to be awarded the funds instead of the chapter. Bass had personally prepared briefs and stood in court as the election interference case progressed. He was named in certain paperwork as plaintiff or representative for the group during earlier trial phases. But Judge Pam Honeycutt found against Bass’ claim for the $117,000. The judge ordered in favor of putting the cash in the hands of the county chapter’s new lawyers instead.

Honeycutt also affirmed the county chapter as active and in good standing with the national organization and affirmed Shabaka Afrika as the current president.

The court found that the previous lawyer for the chapter, Lewellen was terminated as legal counsel on July 19 of this year and was replaced by another law firm from Jonesboro. The judge ordered the funds banked by Lewellen to be released immediately to the new legal counsel and for the new attorneys at Waddell, Cole and Jones to hold $30,000 until Lewellen’s fees resolve. Lewellen’s bill was ordered to be settled another day in court.

Afrika explained the chapter’s reason for dismissing Lewellen.

“The check was made to the Crittenden County chapter, But Lewellen refused to give it to us,” said Afrika. “He treated it like it was a lottery and we’d all share it. But the courts twice affirmed that the punitive damages and legal fees. To date Mr. Lewellen has collected $27,000. He is the only one who has any money from this case.”

Bass’ motion and a brief asking for the distribution of the $117,000 to him was also denied by Judge Honeycutt.

“Bass set out to get it all because his name was on the law suit,” said Shabaka. “In fact his name was on the law suit as representative of the organization, not in as in an individual capacity.”

Bass’ attorney Alvin Simms continued to pursue the award after the decision earlier this month. Bass declined to comment on new legal developments and deferred to his attorney. Subsequently Judge Honeycutt has recused herself from further considerations in the matter. A letter from her court provided a reason as, “wishing to avoid appearance of impropriety.”

The courtroom decision served as a wedge and splintered the local chapter and started another twist.

The original ordeal with the national organization decimated membership during the seven year run through the courts. About one dozen voted in the last annual county officers election.

But, contention followed the six figure court award.

Bass, along with Second Secretary Teia Handy, Second Vice President Kyle Watkins and other 20 members with on-line nationally registered memberships recently met and conducted business to contend with the Honeycutt reaffirmation of the legitimacy of the Shabaka led local chapter.

The new faction issued a letter to Waddell, Cole & Jones claiming their services were improperly retained. Watkins the signed warning letter.

Watkins’ role as second vice president had been suspended in January by the chapter when he faced felony drug charges which were subsequently dropped. The exonerated Watkins said his dues and suspension were not handled properly and has summoned the national organization to intercede.

“I was never actually suspended, because it was never written and sent to the national office,” said Watkins. “My national dues and the dues of others were also not sent in as is proper. We have a complaint from about 20 members against Shabaka. An investigation is pending over removing him from his seat.”

Afrika said he was also working with the national organization and called Handy’s role into question.

He claimed she was party to some of the contentious issues and further claimed that by rule Handy was no longer eligible to continue as a county board member asserting she no longer resided or worked in the county.

Both sides claim to have reached out to the national NAACP.

Bass explained the alternative meetings and claimed legitimacy.

“It’s not a new group,” said Bass. “It’s just the members of the Crittenden County NAACP that have membership that they have taken on-line. So we do not have two groups. The majority of the members have decided to meet elsewhere, an other place than where they were meeting, in the president’s store. There is just one group.”

Vice President Rubye Johnson remained aligned with Afrika and offered a different perspective about the commotion this month following the court orders.

“The money is a big part of this,” said Johnson. “In my opinion, it’s not about the money as much as some people wanting to get back at Shabaka over their last loss in court. Now they want to deal him a loss, but they are not man or woman enough to say anything about Shabaka.”

By John Rech