Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Tax opponent denied entry for stadium tour
Lawyer sued county over Bengals' lease
By Dan Klepal
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Paul Brown Stadium was open for a tour Tuesday to the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and their guests. All except one.
Tim Mara, a Green Township lawyer who campaigned against a sales-tax increase that will pay for the new football stadium and has sued Hamilton County over issues in the Bengals' lease, was not allowed to go on the tour.
Mr. Mara's father is a member of the ASSE and invited his son.
“It is the most outrageous thing I've ever heard of,” Mr. Mara said.
“My suit does not diminish my rights as a citizen to participate in events like this.
“Clearly, this is retaliation for my suit.”
Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen said Mr. Mara's suit does indeed diminish his right to enter Paul Brown Stadium, even if it is on a guided tour.
Mr. Allen said state law requires Mr. Mara — or anyone suing the county — to give his office notice before he can enter property being contested in the suit.
The law applies even though Mr. Mara's suit applies to the Bengals lease, and not the construction of Paul Brown Stadium, according to the prosecutor.
“He didn't give advance notice,” Mr. Allen said.
“It was the correct decision for us to make.”
Mr. Mara said he was just curious about what the stadium looks like and could not possibly get information on the tour that would help his lawsuit.
Mr. Mara is suing the county to overturn portions of the Bengals' lease that guarantee a minimum number of ticket sales and give control of riverfront property around the stadium to the Bengals.
“My suit has nothing to do with the physical building,” Mr. Mara said.
“I'm curious, like everyone else, about the stadium.”
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