COLUMBUS — Fuhgetaboutit owner Freddie Fields is willing to pit his word against anyone”s that he”s been a good neighbor downtown.
The controversial bar owner filed a lawsuit in August seeking unspecified damages from the Columbus Police Department, Lowndes County Sheriff”s Office and Metro Narcotics Unit for alleged harassment.
Fields said Friday the suit is more about fair treatment than money, but damages will be sought.
“I”m not saying I don”t (want monetary compensation). They”re hurting my business. They”ve hurt (Fields” restaurant) the Golden Horn”s business and this business. And they”re hurting my name a lot,” he said.
Fields alleges law enforcement officials have harassed him, his employees and his clientele since he opened Fuhgetaboutit downtown. His complaints include unlawful raids, accusations of selling narcotics, accusations of pimping, accusations of selling liquor after hours and accusations of selling liquor to minors.
“I”ve told (accusers) let”s take a polygraph and see who”s telling the truth,” said Fields.
Fuhgetaboutit has also drawn the ire of residents of downtown apartments. One landlord installed a special $2,600 door to cut the noise coming out of Fuhgetaboutit on the weekends. He says he spoke to Fields about the noise and was told “If (residents) don”t like the noise they should live somewhere else.”
Fields claims he”s received just one complaint about the noise, but points out that downtown is a business district and loud bands come with the territory.
Former CPD Criminal Investigations Division commander Gary Moore has been hired to work security at Fuhgetaboutit from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends. CPD Chief Joseph St. John said Fields contacted him previously about hiring off-duty officers to work outside the bar, but Fields failed to follow up on the request.
“We never told him ”no,”” said St. John.
Off-duty officers are allowed to work outside bars but not inside as bouncers.
St. John also says Fields has been an active participant in the city”s committee on bar violence.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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