Highland Park activist Robert Davis has filed a lawsuit against pastor and mayoral candidate Solomon Kinloch Jr., alleging defamation and slander. According to the complaint, Davis claims Kinloch falsely accused him of being a "covert operative" for Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield during a televised mayoral debate on October 15.
Kinloch's allegations came after a series of stories by Metro Times exposed delinquent water bills and controversial property deals involving Reverend Kinloch and his Triumph Church, which has over 40,000 members and seven locations. The church purchased the former AMC Star Southfield theater site in Southfield for $1 through a private limited liability company controlled by Kinloch.
Davis denies the allegations, stating that Kinloch fabricated them to "resuscitate his failing mayoral campaign." He also claims that Kinloch has a strong animus towards him due to Davis's exposure of Kinloch's past criminal convictions and fraudulent real-estate transactions with Triumph Church, which are currently under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.
In addition to seeking damages for defamation, Davis is asking a judge to declare that Triumph's purchase of the former AMC Star Southfield theater site was "NOT for a lawful church or religious purchase" and "was fraudulent in violation of Michigan and Internal Revenue Service laws." The total amount of damages sought by Davis is at least $250,000.
It's worth noting that Kinloch's campaign has declined to comment on the allegations. A recent survey conducted by the Detroit News and WDIV shows Mary Sheffield leading the mayoral race with 65% of likely voters, while Kinloch trails behind with 14%.
Kinloch's allegations came after a series of stories by Metro Times exposed delinquent water bills and controversial property deals involving Reverend Kinloch and his Triumph Church, which has over 40,000 members and seven locations. The church purchased the former AMC Star Southfield theater site in Southfield for $1 through a private limited liability company controlled by Kinloch.
Davis denies the allegations, stating that Kinloch fabricated them to "resuscitate his failing mayoral campaign." He also claims that Kinloch has a strong animus towards him due to Davis's exposure of Kinloch's past criminal convictions and fraudulent real-estate transactions with Triumph Church, which are currently under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.
In addition to seeking damages for defamation, Davis is asking a judge to declare that Triumph's purchase of the former AMC Star Southfield theater site was "NOT for a lawful church or religious purchase" and "was fraudulent in violation of Michigan and Internal Revenue Service laws." The total amount of damages sought by Davis is at least $250,000.
It's worth noting that Kinloch's campaign has declined to comment on the allegations. A recent survey conducted by the Detroit News and WDIV shows Mary Sheffield leading the mayoral race with 65% of likely voters, while Kinloch trails behind with 14%.
I mean, can you imagine if everyone reacted like Robert Davis did when they're wronged? We wouldn't have many successful campaigns, would we? 
Solving problems and addressing issues head-on might be a more effective way to get ahead. Instead of trying to discredit others, maybe Kinloch should focus on what he really wants to achieve as the mayor - improving Detroit's infrastructure, education system, or economy?
instead, we could use that energy to fuel positive change in our own lives.
just read about this lawsuit between Robert Davis and Solomon Kinloch Jr. I'm like totally shook. Can't believe Kinloch would go after Davis like that. The dude's already under scrutiny for those shady property deals and past convictions, but now he's got to deal with some serious defamatory stuff 
. Like, what's next? Davis is right though, Kinloch does seem pretty angry at him, especially since Davis exposed all that dirt on the church. Not cool, man 
. This just shows how far some politicians will go to save their own skin...or in this case, their mayoral campaign 
. Davis is just trying to take him down and expose the truth about Triumph Church 
. I'm low-key rooting for Davis here