Housing chief gets jury trial in his appeal

The director of Little Rock's Metropolitan Housing Alliance will get a jury trial in his appeal of a judge's ruling that he failed to comply with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

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Housing Director Rodney Forte pleaded innocent and requested a trial Thursday in Pulaski County. A jury trial was set for Nov. 4, and a pretrial hearing will be held Sept. 21.

Little Rock District Judge Alice Lightle found Forte guilty in June of not responding to information requests from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette within three working days, as mandated by state law. The charge was a Class C misdemeanor.

Forte's appearance before Circuit Judge Herbert Wright on Thursday was the first step in his appeal of that ruling.

Forte's attorney, N.M. Norton with law firm Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP, apologized to Wright on Thursday for not showing up Wednesday for Forte's first scheduled appearance.

Norton said there had been a "lapse in communication."

Wright then recalled a failure to appear warrant that was issued against Forte on Wednesday.

Metro on 07/24/2015

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