Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for the gubernatorial race, is embattled in yet another lawsuit less than a week before the election. Earlier this week, Vox Insights LLC filed a lawsuit in a Stanly County Court against the Robinson campaign (Friends Of Mark Robinson) or (FOMR), a political candidate committee, for allegedly failing to pay a $114,000 bill.
Vox provides polling data and related political information to political candidate committees and candidates for public office.
The lawsuit alleges that Vox Insights LLC (the plaintiff) entered a contract with FOMR on Sept 13th in an agreement to provide polling results in exchange for compensation. Conrad Pogorzelski III, a general consultant for FOMR, executed the contract on their behalf while he was in North Carolina, alleges the lawsuit. Pogorzelski was formerly the campaign manager for Robinson before stepping down when Robinson refused to withdraw over allegations concerning certain pornography sites.
The lawsuit alleges that “on or about” Sept 18, an invoice was sent to FOMR for $114,000 for services performed “pursuant to the contract,” that payment was required within 30 days, and that “FOMR has failed or otherwise refused to pay the invoice.” Furthermore, the suit alleges that the plaintiff (Vox Insights) believes FOMR does not intend to pay the invoice before Election Day.
“The timing of this lawsuit should raise some eyebrows,” said Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst. “Going to court a week before Election Day seems to maximize the negative impact on Robinson’s campaign. If nothing else it might prompt other candidates to think twice about working with the plaintiffs in the future.”
“This lawsuit is completely baseless,” a spokesperson for the campaign told WCNC Charlotte. “The campaign has resolved all invoices for all previous work from this company and does not owe them one penny. The campaign has not seen any work product from this company on this so-called project, and the work they are alleging was agreed to by a consultant – without Lt. Gov. Robinson’s knowledge or consent – that is no longer with the campaign and had no authority to authorize it. This matter is clearly being pushed by political grifters that are just trying to extort more money from the campaign, and we’re confident that we’ll be successful in court and these bad actors will be exposed.”
Vox is claiming damages in excess of $25,000. It is also seeking a court injunction and temporary restraining order to ensure the campaign has sufficient money to pay its debt.
Robinson is also embattled in a defamation lawsuit against CNN following allegations regarding comments Robinson made on pornography sites in the early 200s. The hearing in this lawsuit is set for Nov 18th.