On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 1819 News reported that Mobile County Circuit Judge Michael A. Youngpeter recused himself from a legal case involving former police chief Paul Prine and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. Prine filed a lawsuit claiming slander, libel, and civil conspiracy, alleging that his termination last year was the result of a series of conspiratorial actions against him.
The lawsuit also names several defendants, including Stimpson’s chief of staff, James Barber, public safety director Rob Lasky, and multiple members of the Mobile City Council, as well as former U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown and the Thompson Coburn law firm.
A court order indicated that Judge Youngpeter’s previous interactions with one of the parties involved presented a potential conflict of interest. The order emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in the judicial system and stated that judges must avoid any appearance of impropriety.
Youngpeter, who garnered media attention in 2022 for his response to comments made by Stimpson regarding gun violence in Mobile, formally recused himself.
The case has now been reassigned to Circuit Court Judge S. Wesley Pipes for further proceedings.
Source: 1819 News
