Ex-Davenport city administrator files libel lawsuit against Quad City Times and two reporters

In a libel lawsuit filed last week, ex-Davenport City Administrator Craig Malin claims the Quad City Times published false and misleading statements to "run him out of town" because of "his leadership in expanding access to public information, which the Quad City Times openly opposed."

The lawsuit filed June 15 in Scott County District Court names Lee Enterprises, owner of the Quad City Times, in addition to the newspaper and reporters Barb Ickes and Brian Wellner.

The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages for loss of salary, retirement and benefits, reputation, and emotional distress, plus punitive damages.

The complaint focuses on dozens of articles and emails from June 2015 involving the city's agreement with the Rhythm City Casino to extend Elmore Avenue at a cost of $13 million, and articles and editorials related to the city operated website, davenporttoday.com.

"An apparent motive for the defendants attacking the plaintiff and attempting to remove him from his position with the City of Davenport was that the defendants wrongly believed that davenporttoday.com was causing a loss of readership for the Quad City Times," the lawsuit alleges.

After resigning as city administrator, Malin took a similar position with the city of Seaside, CA, but still maintains a residence in Davenport. He served as city administrator in Davenport from August 2001 until June 26, 2015.

CLICK HERE to download the district court filing.