Arizona AG moves to block local man from filing ‘frivolous’ lawsuits
Dec 6, 2017, 4:35 AM | Updated: 9:14 am
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
PHOENIX — The Arizona Attorney General’s Office filed a motion in federal court Tuesday to help stop a “serial litigator” from filing what officials claim are “frivolous” lawsuits.
The office filed a motion to intervene to stop Peter Strojnik, who officials said has filed about 60 disability access lawsuits against Arizona businesses.
In a press release, officials said the lawsuits, which were all filed in federal court, are “baseless” and that Strojnik is a “vexatious litigant” who is “abusing” the Arizona court system.
If a judge agreed, it would mean Strojnik could not file any additional disability law compliance lawsuits in federal court without first getting permission from a judge.
In one of the lawsuits, Strojnik claimed a local business violated the Arizonans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act by not adhering to proper parking signage and spot sizes.
The office claimed Strojnik demanded $5,000 in attorney’s fees even though the company “immediately corrected” the issues with its parking.
That court case was dismissed in September. As part of the judgment, the court said Strojnik engaged in “ethically suspect tactics” and “unethical extortion of unreasonable attorney’s fees,” the press release said.
According to the State Bar of Arizona, Strojnik was suspended from practicing law for 30 days in 2016 after a judge disciplined him for allegedly inappropriately threatening defendants in a sexual harassment lawsuit.
