Tea Plaintiffs Seek New Counsel as Mediation Date Nears

A mediation in the Tea Party vs. TEA Party lawsuit is still on for Sept. 20, though the plaintiffs don't currently have an attorney.

Everett Wilkinson, state director of the South Florida Tea Party and lead plaintiff in the suit, said he is "working on getting new attorneys" after the first counsel, Frank Herrera and Gustavo Sardina of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, pulled out last month.

Herrera's firm -- which South Florida Republican political consultant Michael Caputo claimed to be funding to the tune of $20,000 a month -- said it is considering legal action against the Florida TEA Party and withdrew over that potential conflict of interest.

The dispute over the TEA Party's alleged misappropriation of the name was joined by several Tea groups around the state. But it's unclear how many will stay in the suit if the legal billing meter starts running.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra on Tuesday ordered Wilkinson and Tim McClellan to file notice informing the court whether they will be represented by legal counsel or themselves.

Marra also ruled that "corporate and unincorporated association plaintiffs must obtain substitute counsel on or before Oct. 1."

Doug Guetzloe, consultant for the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party said, "We're not letting Wilkinson or McClellan off the hook.With or without new counsel, mediation is on."