Constitution Party of Texas sues for alleged defamation

The Constitution Party of Texas is suing after, it says, attempts were made to usurp the power of its current executive committee.  

The Constitution Party of Texas and Bryan Malatesta, current president of the party, filed suit in Harris County District Court on Oct. 25, stating that Clell Drumheller and Cynthis Drumheller used libel and slander in an attempt to illegitimately gain control of the Constitution Party.  

In their suit, plaintiffs allege Malatesta sustained damage to his reputation when the Drumhellers wrote that "he was a slick con artist and a scalawag hustler," among other things, to gain control of the party.  The Drumhellers also broke many of the bylaws of the organization, by holding meetings illegally and appointing Clell Drumheller president of the organization.  

It was the responsibility of the Drumhellers, plaintiffs say, to follow the laws of the organization and the state of Texas.  

The plaintiffs are being represented by Arlington attorney Judith Street.  They are seeking an injunction against the Drumhellers, in addition to compensatory and punitive damages, and court costs.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2010-70544.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.