Complaint Review: Elizabeth Van Duyne

Irving community activist sues mayor, alleging defamation

Irving community activist Anthony Bond has sued Mayor Beth Van Duyne for defamation after she called him a w**** in The Dallas Morning News last week. Van Duynes comment stemmed from allegations Bond made against City Manager Tommy Gonzalez.In an affidavit that is part of a developers $139-million breach-of-contract lawsuit, Bond said that Gonzalez routinely had him get tickets to sporting and live music events fhrom a city contractor and place them on the city managers doorstep.To that, Van Duyne said of Bond: I would argue he is a w**** and he sells out to whoever is willing to pay him the most.Bond earlier this year criticized how Van Duyne approached the citys controversial contract with Las Colinas Group, the developer now suing the city. Bond is a contractor for the Burrell Group, which has consulted for both the city and Las Colinas Group.Bond said the literal definition of the word w**** buttresses his case. His defamation suit, filed in state district court Friday, said Van Duynes comments were meant to destroy his character.They also destroy my reputation in the community with my friends, constituents and clients, Bond said in the suit.He said hes not seeking monetary damages but simply wants Van Duyne to stop making such comments.Van Duyne said Monday she hasnt been served with the suit yet and couldnt comment on the specifics of it.I would say this is standard MO for Mr. Bond, for anyone who is not in lock step with him and his clients, she said.Bond said he left the medical technology field more than 15 years ago because God called him into community service. Bond said he started the Irving branch of the NAACP, founded a development corporation that successfully sought grants for Irvings Bear Creek community. Bond said he is a former Dallas County Community Action Committee member, is chairman of the Irving Education Coalition and has worked with the West Irving Improvement Association.Van Duyne said she plans to have a personal attorney defend her in the suit.This is nothing more than another distraction, she said. I dont want our city attorneys office time or resources wasted on another distraction.