Gadfly Files $50,000 Claim Against City : * Politics: Leader of a citizens group says the mayor falsely accused him of dirty tricks during the recent council election campaign.

The head of a citizens organization has filed a $50,000 claim against the city of Diamond Bar, charging that Mayor John Forbing damaged his reputation by accusing him of dirty tricks in the recent City Council elections.

Al Rumpilla, president of the Diamond Bar Gadfly Assn., said he was not behind the campaign stunts, which included unsigned mailings and a doctored newspaper article. Most of the negative statements were aimed at Councilwoman Phyllis Papen, who was reelected.

Rumpilla said he has recordings of Forbing’s statement at a council meeting on election night, Nov. 5. Rumpilla’s gadfly organization has monitored and recorded every council meeting since the city incorporated in 1989.

Forbing, who has denied linking anyone to the stunts, said he was simply making a comparison between Rumpilla’s prior criticisms of Papen and the negative campaigning.

During the campaign, incumbents Papen and Donald C. Nardella were accused of allowing too much development and catering to the business community. Nardella lost to Gary G. Miller.

Among the disputed documents Rumpilla said he is being accused of fabricating is an unsigned flyer that appears to be a Los Angeles Times article. Headlined “Political Cronyism in Diamond Bar,” the article was actually a letter to the editor in the Oct. 6 edition.

The council has 30 days to settle or reject Rumpilla’s claim. If it is rejected, Rumpilla said he will sue the city.