08/16/2026
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2026**
**Contact:** Michael Milam
**Phone:** (317) 646-3917
Federal Lawsuit Alleges City of Columbia Engaged in a “42-Year Conspiracy” to Deny Due Process; Kentucky Attorney General Sued for Inaction
COLUMBIA KENTUCKY— A federal civil rights lawsuit filed in the Western District of Kentucky has been expanded, accusing City of Columbia officials of engaging in a multi-decade conspiracy to deny citizens their constitutional right to due process. The amended complaint, filed by Russell Springs resident Michael Milam, alleges that for up to forty-two years, the City has deliberately refused to create a legally mandated hearing board to allow citizens to challenge vehicle impoundments—a violation that the lawsuit claims is part of nearly half a century of lawlessness that has turned the city’s towing operations into a “predatory revenue apparatus.”
In a significant escalation, the lawsuit(as amended), now also names Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman as a defendant, alleging that his office has neglected its duty to enforce state law, thereby enabling the systemic destruction of due process in cities like Columbia.
The amended complaint centers on Kentucky Revised Statute 82.625, which became law on July 13, 1984. The statute unequivocally requires any city that impounds vehicles to establish a “hearing board” and provide vehicle owners with a hearing within ten business days of a request. According to the lawsuit, the City of Columbia has never established such a board, effectively nullifying the state law and leaving citizens with no legal recourse to challenge potentially unlawful seizures of their property.
Michael Milam states: This is not an oversight; it is a forty-two-year policy of deliberate indifference,” said Plaintiff Michael Milam. The Kentucky legislature has specifically put this protection in place to prevent the exact kind of predatory towing schemes that are now operating without oversight. For decades, the City of Columbia has made a conscious choice to ignore the law, stripping citizens of their constitutional right to be heard. They have weaponized this process against the very people they are sworn to protect.” something Milam says is outrageous conduct!
The lawsuit further alleges that when Milam attempted to raise these concerns officials in control of the Columbia Police Department page, the game restricting comments. The complaint claims that while his critical comments were known by Columbia Chief of Police, Evan Burton prior to his employment in Columbia kentucky,, it is alleged promotional posts for local businesses and comments praising the police were allowed to remain well the plaintiff Michael Milam and or anyone else in the community were prevented from making any critical comments about the department such as their predatory towing schemes
The expanded lawsuit now brings a federal conspiracy claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1985 against individual city officials, including Mayor Pamela Hoots and Police Chief Evan Burton. It also brings a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1986 against Attorney General Coleman, arguing that his office had knowledge of the widespread non-compliance with state towing laws across the Commonwealth but neglected its power to prevent the ongoing constitutional violations.
“The silence from Frankfort is deafening,” Milam added. “The Attorney General's office is supposed to be the last line of defense for citizens when local governments go rogue. By ignoring this systemic violation across the state, his office has become complicit in the violation. This lawsuit is not just about one city; it’s about a systemic failure of accountability at both the local and state levels. It asks a simple question: do the laws of this Commonwealth actually mean anything?”
The lawsuit seeks a court order compelling the City of Columbia to immediately establish the mandated hearing board, a declaration that the city’s, up to 42-year failure violates the Fourteenth Amendment, and compensatory and punitive damages against the individual officials for their roles in the alleged conspiracy and censorship.
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**About the Plaintiff:** Michael Milam is a resident of Russell County, Kentucky, and a citizen advocate for government accountability and constitutional rights.
**Case Information:**
*Milam v. Burton, et al.*
Case No. 1:25-CV-00148-BJB-HBB
United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
*The allegations contained in the complaint are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven liable.*
^Hl.M.M.
