Court: Hooker can be blocked from filing ‘frivolous’ suits

The case stems from numerous lawsuits against various state officials filed by Hooker, a Nashville attorney, that challenged the practice of serving food and alcohol at political fund-raisers. Hooker contended the officials violated a constitutional ban on “meat and drinks” at such events.

The Court of Appeals upheld sanctions imposed against Hooker by Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Brothers, who appointed a “special master” to screen out frivolous filings by Hooker.

“With deference to the nobility of Mr. Hooker’s cause, other litigants have causes that are noble and needs that are great and all are entitled to a full and fair and impartial hearing,” Judge Holly Kirby wrote in the opinion released Wednesday. “This cannot be accomplished if any litigant, regardless of his cause, is permitted to glut the judicial system by filing essentially the same lawsuit over and over as long as there is breath in his body.”

Hooker has been a candidate for offices ranging from Nashville mayor to governor to U.S. senator. He was a serious Democratic contender for governor in 1966 and the party’s nominee in 1970.

But in the 1990s he began using political campaigns as platforms to file lawsuits, most challenging the constitutionality of campaign financing. Hooker has filed 10 lawsuits since 1996.

Undeterred by the latest ruling, Hooker vowed Thursday to continue filing lawsuits “until I win or until the day I die.” He also accused state Attorney General Paul Summers of trying to intimidate him.

“I’m doing my best to defend the integrity of the constitution,” Hooker said. “The truth is, I ought to be doing what I’m doing. It’s an abuse of power for the attorney general to try to stop me.”