A man billing himself as a community advocate is suing Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and City Manager Harry Black, accusing the city officials of withholding public records and intimidation.
The records Derrick Blassingame seeks in the case filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Monday include financial records of the mayor and his staff as well as information related to development projects in Avondale.
He also alleges he was placed on a City Hall security-risk list without justification.
"As always, we are prepared to vigorously defend the City against what we view as a meritless lawsuit," said City Solicitor Paula Boggs Muething. "Because Mr. Blassingame has consistently threatened litigation over the course of our dealings with him over the last several months, we are well prepared for this engagement.
"Also, just as we would with any member of the public, we will continue to respond to his numerous public records requests in a timely, thorough fashion," Boggs Muething added.
In recent months, Blassingame has repeatedly participated in public-speaking sessions before Cincinnati City Council, making his case in that forum. A check of Hamilton County Court records show a pending criminal damaging/endangering charge. Blassingame is accused of throwing a rock through a person's window.
A separate 2012 assault charge was dismissed, the records show.