In a striking twist to the Delray Beach mayoral race, candidate Tom Carney is suing Ryan Boylston, his political rival, for libel over a controversy-stoking mailer. As the Palm Beach Post reports, the disputed mailer addressed past car incidents involving Carney, an allegation that Carney firmly denounces.
Setting the stage for the legal scuffle days before the election, the incumbent, Carney, accuses Boylston of defamation by implication, suggesting crimes that weren't committed. According to the lawsuit dug up by the Palm Beach Post, Carney has called for a retraction and an apology, which Boylston has so far declined to provide.
Boylston countered, deeming the lawsuit a political distraction, and in a statement obtained by the Palm Beach Post, he conveyed confidence in prevailing against what he describes as a "strategic lawsuit designed to limit free speech." Nevertheless, the legal drama is unlikely to see a resolution before Delray Beach residents hit the polls.
Carney's stance was crystal clear in a statement published on Florida Jolt, where he defended his integrity, stating, "I have earned, over the course of my life and professional career, a reputation for honesty, integrity, and civility." He branded the crime accusations as "reckless disregard for the truth."
Despite Carney being endorsed by significant local papers like the SunSentinel and Palm Beach Post, which often reflect a thorough vetting process for candidates, Boylston has pointed to past car crashes involving Carney, alleging more than just accidental fender benders. This has led to Carney depicting Boylston's actions as a "lie too many," as relayed by a Florida Jolt article, where he feels forced to protect a lifelong reputation through legal means.
The claim that Boylston has admitted to ethical violations himself and was fined $2,000 adds a twist of irony to the accusations he hurls at Carney. The electorate is left to sift through the allegations and defenses as they prepare to vote on March 19 for the next leader to sit at the helm of Delray Beach governance.
