BURBANK : Trial Is Requested in Gadfly-Shoving Case

Both sides are now bracing for a trial in the lawsuit against a Burbank school board member who allegedly shoved a notorious gadfly into a door at a meeting more than a year ago.

Burbank lawyer David Romley, representing self-described “Gadfly from Hell,” Melvin Perlitsh, said he filed a request this week with Glendale Superior Court Judge Charles Stoll for a trial in the suit against William S. Abbey, vice president of the school board.

A court-appointed arbitrator last month ruled in favor of Perlitsh, saying he was owed $1,800, which Romley said was about what the medical costs were from the incident.

“I don’t think that would be enough money to settle it,” said Romley, who in rejecting the arbitrator’s decision is seeking $45,000 in punitive damages against Abbey.

In the October, 1992, incident at a school board meeting, Perlitsh and Abbey got into an argument during which Abbey is alleged to have shoved Perlitsh into a door as they were leaving the room. Perlitsh’s arm was injured, which Romley said had just recently been operated on. The suit was filed in February.