Decision awaited on libel suit against Billy Long advisor

A decision is expected sometime within the next few weeks on an appeal of a libel suit filed against one of Seventh District Republican congressional candidate Billy Long's top advisors.

Online documents indicate the Eastern District Court of Appeals reviewed briefs filed by St. Charles County Commissioner Joe Brazil and political operative Jeff Roe, whose company Axiom Strategies has been responsible for guiding much of Billy Long's campaign.

Judge Nancy L. Schneider granted a summary judgment in favor of Roe in January, ending the first phase of the lawsuit Brazil filed against him in 2007.


According to St. Charles County online court documents, Judge Schneider ruled that Brazil, as a public figure "has submitted no substantial evidence or no genuine issue of material fact concerning actual malice."
On the second count of Brazil's lawsuit, which alleged he had been injured by what Roe wrote in August 2006 on his blog, The Source, the judge ruled that Brazil had not provided evidence showing he had lost anything other than attorney fees.

Brazil filed the initial libel suit against Roe in March 2007, as detailed in the March 30, 2007 Turner Report. Brazil took the action after Roe attacked him in two posts on "The Source" blog just before the August 2006 State Senate primary, which was won by Brazil's opponent, Scott Rupp, another client of Roe's.

The first attack, printed Aug. 1, 2006, accused Brazil of being drunk and partying loudly. On Aug. 4, Roe printed the post Brazil found the most egregious, which Roe removed from his blog months after the lawsuit was filed:

According to www.darwinawards.com, in 1982, Brazil was attempting to pull off a senior class prank at McCluer North High School in Florissant, Missouri. Brazil plan was to deposit thousands of pounds of sand into the school’s faculty parking lot. Brazil even owned a dump truck that could be used to aid in the prank.

After quite a few beers, Brazil and his buddies loaded up the dump truck with sand and drove to the school. One of Brazil’s friends, Norval Pierce sat on top of the bed of the truck while Brazil dumped the sand. Brazil drove slowly while dumping, attempting to adequately spread the sand in the parking lot. As Brazil was driving, the truck jumped forward, throwing Pierce through the frame of the truck. Not realizing what had happened, Brazil continued to drive while drunk and dumping sand. Brazil proceeded to crush Pierce under the truck.

So now we have another instance of Brazil’s irresponsibility and not owning up to his mistakes. What else do we need to know Joe?

Roe's version of the story was disputed, not only by Brazil, but by others, including the Florissant police officer who made the stop and said no alcohol was involved, that it was just an accident, according to the O'Fallon Watchdog website.

Roe filed a countersuit at one point, but later dismissed the action.

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Billy Long's October disclosure report, filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission indicates he spent $418,000 during the past three months, with the biggest amount, $158,247.62 going to Roe's Axiom Strategies.

That amount included the following expenditures:

-One thousand, five hundred yard signs, $3,107.72

-Direct mail, "Goodman contrast" $2,193.57

-Direct mail, "Goodman and Nodler contrast" $22,976.70

-"Pro-life" direct mail, $10,491.;49

-August and September strategy consulting retainers, $5,000

-Advertising legal review, $1,616.50

-One thousand bumper stickers, $234.72

- Listed as "see details" , $90,000+

The attacks and the robocalls against Long's general election opponent, Scott Eckersley appear to be on the horizon. The FEC documents indicate Long paid Roe's consulting firm $5,500 for an "opposition research package," $7,906 for VOIP phone rental and $7,896 for "188,000 VOIP phone minutes."