Officials sued over background check

Newell defended the city’s actions: “We felt – in light of the information we received about individuals involved in the (Parkersburg) Tea Party -we had the right to check backgrounds for violations.” Backus has been a critic of Newell and has been outspoken against the city user fee. He also is running for city council in District 5 as a Republican. In March, Backus sent the city a Freedom of Information Act request inquiring about a possible background check. City Attorney Joe Santer confirmed a background check was conducted due to concerns “arising out of the reported intense and strong animosity bordering on hatred then exhibited by certain individuals associated with the Parkersburg Tea Party and which was aimed at some of the city officials and the fear this could boil over and become a safety issue for those working in the City Building or attending city council meetings,” Santer wrote in his response to Backus. Santer stated the background report was obtained by Martin and was shown to Newell. “There was not then, nor has there been since then any active investigation concerning you,” Santer concluded to Backus. Newell reiterated Tuesday officials were justified to run the checks. Backus previously said he is not and never has been a member of the tea party, but assisted the group in a recall effort by going door-to-door to solicit petition signatures.