Tuscaloosa Businessman Claims Coercion, Intimidation By Stan Pate Amid Slander Lawsuit

TUSCALOOSA, AL – Tuscaloosa businessman Steve Stephens on Friday released a statement claiming he has become the target of intimidation efforts by Tuscaloosa developer Stan Pate.

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Stephens, the owner of Stephens Insurance and Financial Services, Inc., was named along with others in a lawsuit filed by Pate in February, who levied accusations of online slander following the creation of a group named The Alliance for Responsible Growth (ARG).

Stephens serves as the chairman of the group.

On the website, ARG cites the McFarland Mall property's controversial recent history, claiming Pate has been seeking a deal with the City of Tuscaloosa to sell the property for $28 million.

The website also goes into detail regarding Pate's political contributions to local races, namely his "sponsorship" of Tuscaloosa City Council President Kip Tyner and spending $32,000 on Raevan Howard’s 2017 campaign for the District 2 seat on the council.

ALSO READ: Chamber Board Pushes Back Against Renaming Bridge For Stan Pate's Father

"Greedy Stan Pate wants to line his pockets and wants the city of Tuscaloosa to pay for it," ARG asserts. "He’s asking tens of millions of the city at a time when budgets are tight because of a global pandemic."

In opposing Pate's efforts, Stephens said he has been vocal in raising attention regarding Pate's alleged attempts to circumvent the city’s building regulations near Stephens’ neighborhood.

After the lawsuit was filed in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court, Stephens doubled down on his decision to publicly oppose the controversial developer.

“As a resident of the City of Tuscaloosa, I took a strong stance against Mr. Pate’s attempt to
violate building regulations that would have harmed our community,” Stephens said. “My position was the right thing to do then. It is the right thing to do now.”

Stephens argues that the lawsuit is unfounded, retaliatory, and an "attempt to bully and intimidate all those who challenge Pate’s misadventures."

“Just as I have done in the past, I will vigorously pursue justice and resist Mr. Pate’s efforts at coercion," Stephens said.

Patch has reached out to Pate for comment and will update this story accordingly.

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