Atlanta, GA –In a very heated court case that has the entire country talking, wrongfully ousted President Herman “Skip” Mason won a small victory in an Atlanta courtroom Friday morning when a Judge ruled the court does have jurisdiction to hear his case against the Nation’s oldest Black Greek Letter Organization.
Mason brought an emergency petition against the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to the court on grounds the Board of Directors was illegally seated and wrongfully attempted to remove him a month ago.
“I never got any notice or any process pursuant to our Constitution, Rules and Regulations or Bylaws”, Mason told members of the press and supporters. “Nevertheless, I am pleased with the outcome this morning and will enjoy my family and kids and allow God to stay in control.”
Representatives for the fraternity argued that the case was not an emergency and that a Georgia court was not the appropriate place for an organization based in Baltimore, Maryland.
The court agreed that there was no emergency to install Mason back at Presidency, but agreed with his argument that jurisdiction was proper in Georgia as much of his work for 3 ½ years was performed in Georgia, where he resides.
“We are very pleased with the Court’s decision,” said Attorney James L. Walker, Jr., who along with Reginald A. Greene and William Jones of Atlanta based, The Greene Legal Group represented Mason. Greene Legal Group is listed as the official law firm representing Mason and the judge allowed Walker in under what’s called a Pro-Hac Vice motion that attorneys often file for special admission on a case.
Judge Robbins also instructed both sides not to argue the underlying merits of the case, i.e., was Mason removed improperly and did the fraternity break the rules. Instead, the parties were instructed by Robbins to solely deal with “is this an emergency” and “whether the Court had jurisdiction.
The Court will schedule a future hearing where the underlying merits of the case will be presented, along with witnesses, evidence and other specifics.
Mason’s full claim includes defamation, bad faith, breach of an implied duty and acting beyond the scope of their authority.
The case has been discussed nationwide as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded in 1906 and boasts nearly 100,000 members nationwide.
Under Mason’s watch the fraternity saw growth, raised over a million dollars and establish a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Mall in Washington.
Courtesy of www.thebellereport.net www.twitter.com/thebellereport
