The Dispatch is seeking to take the place of former reporter Nathan Gregory in an ongoing civil case involving the city of Columbus and a violation of the state’s Open Meetings Act.

In 2014, the state Ethics Commission issued an order stating the council and mayor violated three sections of the Open Meetings Act. The order says the violations occurred when Columbus councilmen conducted several pre-arranged meetings — each attended by two or three councilmen — in January and February 2014. The meetings concerned the city’s retail partnership with the Golden Triangle Development LINK and project management on the Trotter Convention Center renovation.

Gregory filed a complaint with the Ethics Commission after becoming aware of the meetings.

The city has appealed the Ethics Commission’s subsequent ruling, saying that since each of the gatherings did not constitute a quorum, they did not qualify as a “meeting.”

Lowndes County Chancery Judge Kenneth Burns has yet to rule on the appeal.

Now, The Dispatch is attempting to replace Gregory as the party opposite the city in the case.

The Mississippi Justice Institute, which is part of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, is representing the newspaper.

Mike Hurst, an attorney and MJI director, said the case is the first of its kind that MJI has taken on, though the institute is considering a similar case in Lauderdale County.

Hurst filed a motion for substitution of party on Friday in Lowndes County Chancery Court.

In the motion, Hurst argues Gregory was an agent of the newspaper at the time of the Ethics Commission complaint and, because Gregory is no longer able to continue litigation, The Dispatch should be allowed to replace him.

“Nathan’s name on the original complaint was a clerical error,” said Peter Imes, general manager of The Dispatch. “We decided to file the complaint in a newsroom meeting, and it should have been done on behalf of the paper.”

“Allowing such a substitution will further justice and ensure that this court is fully briefed on the issues from the party who had the original and succeeding interest in this case,” Hurst wrote.

The Ethics Commission has previously attempted to intervene in the appeal process. However, Chancery Court Judge Kenneth Burns denied the request.

The Ethics Commission also motioned to file an amicus brief — or “friend of the court” brief — in February. Burns denied that request, too.

Hurst said MJI got involved in the case in order to ensure all sides are presented in the appeal.

“We thought it was important that the court hear the arguments from all sides, particularly the sides of citizens and transparency in government,” Hurst said. “Frankly, that’s what we’re about and that’s why we decided to take up the case on behalf of the newspaper.”

Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.