Clayton Ballentine to Seek Sanctions Against Mayoral Candidate Beverly Coble for Frivolous Legal Filing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 17, 2025

RANDLEMAN, NC – Clayton Ballentine has announced his intention to seek Rule 11 sanctions against Beverly Coble for filing a frivolous and baseless 50C no-contact order in an attempt to suppress constitutionally protected speech.

Ballentine, a vocal advocate for transparency and accountability, asserts that Coble’s legal action is a blatant misuse of the judicial system, weaponized against political criticism. Her complaint, filed on December 27, 2024, makes claims that do not meet the legal requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50C-1, which applies only to cases of stalking or nonconsensual sexual conduct—not political disagreements or defamation claims.

“I will not back down in the face of threats and baseless legal action,” said Ballentine. “This attempt to silence me through frivolous litigation is an abuse of the court system, and I am taking all necessary steps to hold Ms. Coble accountable for this misuse of judicial resources.”

Contradictions and Bad Faith Filing

Ballentine’s Motion for Rule 11 Sanctions, which will be formally presented at the upcoming 50C hearing, provides clear evidence that Coble’s claims were made in bad faith, including:

• Contradictory statements between her sworn testimony and her public social media posts.

• Posts proving that her claims of fear are false, as she continued engaging with Ballentine online after filing.

• Statements revealing that her real motive is political retaliation, not personal safety.

Ballentine officially served Coble with the motion via USPS on January 17, 2025, giving her ample opportunity to withdraw her baseless claims before the hearing. The motion requests that the court dismiss the 50C petition with prejudice, impose sanctions for filing a frivolous case, and award legal costs incurred due to Coble’s improper filing.

We Will Not Be Silenced

“Let me be clear: Neither I nor AnybodyButCoble.org will be intimidated or silenced by legal threats, frivolous lawsuits, or baseless accusations,” said Ballentine. “We stand ready, willing, and able to defend ourselves against any further attempts to misuse the court system in an effort to stifle free speech and political opposition. We will not allow this type of abuse to go unchallenged.”

Read the Motion for Sanctions here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dp7d3aVzkf7Y9Wub0ufgXCp50JkigiC-/view?usp=sharing

Statement on Mayor Candidate’s Frivolous Restraining Order

As someone who has always stood for transparency and accountability, I’m deeply concerned about Beverly Coble’s recent attempt to silence criticism through baseless legal action. Her restraining order against me was an unfounded attempt to stop AnybodyButCoble.org from sharing publicly available records that reflect her history of complaints against our neighbors and community businesses.

This isn’t just about me—it’s about protecting our First Amendment rights and ensuring that Randleman voters have access to the truth. Ms. Coble’s actions mirror the political tactics we’ve seen on the national stage, and they align with the way she voted in 2008 and 2012. This is not the kind of leadership Randleman deserves.

I will not back down, no matter the threats or retaliation. I’m asking for your support in staying informed and spreading the truth. Please visit AnybodyButCoble.org to learn more and sign up for updates. Together, we can ensure that Randleman has the leadership it truly deserves.

Read more: https://www.anybodybutcoble.org/press/beverly-cobles-attempt-to-silence-critics-mirrors-national-politics-and-disregards-free-speech

Statement on the Murder of Officer Michael Horan

Ashley and I are heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of Michael Horan, a Greensboro Police Department officer who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our community. This officer embodied the courage, dedication, and selflessness that define the very best of Greensboro’s law enforcement. Their unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of others, even at great personal risk, is a testament to their character and heroism.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer’s family, loved ones, and the entire Greensboro Police Department during this incredibly difficult time. May we honor their legacy by coming together as a community, supporting one another, and continuing to uphold the values they stood for. Rest in peace, Officer. You will never be forgotten.