State Transportation Director John Cooper had a harassment charge dismissed by a judge in Guntersville, Ala. after the neighbor who accused him of threatening him decided not to pursue the matter any further. Cooper was arrested last year on a misdemeanor harassment charge after an argument with his neighbor, Gerald Carter, over the use of a gravel road.
Cooper accused Carter of trespassing on his property, while Carter claimed he had legal use of an easement to access his land. South Sauty Creek Resort, owned by Cooper, filed a civil lawsuit against Carter last year seeking to establish ownership of the land and deny Carter access through the easement.
Cooper, aged 76, has been the director of the Alabama Department of Transportation since 2011. The agency, which employs 4,000 people, is responsible for building and maintaining highways, roads, and bridges in the state. Cooper is a member of Governor Kay Ivey’s cabinet.
Despite the dismissal of the harassment charge, the dispute between Cooper and Carter over the land and easement remains unresolved. The case was dismissed by agreement between the two parties, with the complainant choosing not to pursue the matter any further. Cooper continues in his role as the head of the state transportation agency while the legal battle with his neighbor continues.
Source
Photo credit aldailynews.com