In Guntersville, Alabama, a harassment charge against state Transportation Director John Cooper was dismissed by a judge on Tuesday. The charge stemmed from a neighbor accusing Cooper of threatening him. However, the neighbor has since expressed that he no longer wishes to pursue the matter.
Cooper faced legal trouble in the previous year when he got arrested on a misdemeanor harassment charge. Gerald Carter, a neighboring landowner, reported to the authorities that Cooper had made threats to shoot and beat him during an argument. The disagreement between the two arose from Carter’s use of a gravel road to reach his property.
According to court records, Carter claimed that he had lawful permission to use the easement in order to access his property. On the other hand, Cooper accused his neighbor of trespassing.
South Sauty Creek Resort, owned by Cooper, filed a civil lawsuit against Carter last year. The lawsuit sought a declaration from the court, stating that the resort is the rightful owner of the land and that Carter does not have the right to use an easement.
John Cooper, aged 76, has held the position of Director at the Alabama Department of Transportation since 2011. This state agency, consisting of 4,000 employees, is responsible for the construction and maintenance of highways, roads, and bridges within Alabama. Cooper also serves as a cabinet member under the administration of Governor Kay Ivey.
