Interesting Foxborough Suit Filed By Kraft

Patriots owner files federal civil rights suit against town of Foxborough; action comes after billboard dispute
By Mark Arsenault, Globe Staff

The company owned by Robert Kraft has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the town of Foxborough, alleging that Kraft’s representatives have been repeatedly denied the right to speak at open public meetings.

The suit seeks a declaration that the town has violated Kraft’s constitutional free speech rights. It also seeks damages and a court order “that enjoins further violations of the free speech rights” of Kraft Group representatives at public meetings.

The complaint, filed Monday in US District Court, stems from a dispute between Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, and town government over two billboards on Kraft-owned land near Gillette Stadium.

Under a 2007 agreement with the town, The Kraft Group has managed the marketing of the billboards and split the advertising revenue with the town. Town leaders are now seeking to put the management contract out to public bid; Kraft has maintained that the town lacks the authority to solicit bids for billboards on company property.

Kraft representatives tried to assert their ownership of the billboards at a selectmen’s meeting on March 13, but Town Manager Kevin Paicos objected, accusing the company of trying to use the forum to “subvert a public bidding process” and scare off potential bidders. Kraft representatives were not allowed to speak.

To settle the dispute over the billboards, town officials will ask Town Meeting voters in May to approve taking the land by eminent domain.

The bitter dispute has damaged the 27-year relationship between the town’s government and its largest taxpayer, the Globe reported Monday.