Its nothing more than a provoke and sue scam. Phelps and his whole family are basically nothing more than the lowest form of ambulance chaser.
Fred Phelps is a Con Man
It's a
business. They travel the country, set up websites telling you exactly when they'll be there, and using the most inflammatory statements all over the place, just to get someone to violate their rights for profit. Then they sue the military, the police force that was to protect them, and everyone that is around them for money. This is a sham, and it is a trap to get people sued. Every member of his family is an attorney. Phelps does not break the law. What he does is try to make you break the law by trying to punch your sensibilities about everything you hold dear, and then sue you and everyone municipality around him to the max.
This is a
scam.
Whether he believes his posters or not is irrelevant.
He's using this as a moneymaking scheme.
Lay one finger on him, do one thing that violates him, and he will sue you, and more importantly, the city, the police department, the US Military, and any private property owner he happens to be standing on to make money off of it.
Fred Phelps Timeline | Southern Poverty Law Center
1974
Phelps files a $50-million class action suit against Sears after a local outlet is several days late delivering a television set. Litigation continues for six years and is eventually settled with Sears paying Phelps $126 — about $60 less than Phelps' son originally paid for the TV, which he never receives.
snip...
1983
Phelps files the first of three federal lawsuits against Washburn University Law School after three of his children are denied admission. The suit contends his children should be granted minority status, and thus benefit from affirmative action, because of their association with their father's "civil rights" legal work.
A later suit switches the argument, alleging reverse discrimination because Phelps' children are white. All are dismissed in 1986.
1984
Phelps sues President Ronald Reagan for sending an ambassador to the Vatican, alleging violations of the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion.
1985
Nine federal judges in Kansas sign a disciplinary complaint against Phelps, five of his children and a daughter-in-law, alleging the seven made false accusations against the judges.
In a separate complaint, Phelps, still practicing in federal court, will be censured in 1987 for writing abusive letters this year to potential defendants threatening lawsuits if his demands were not met.
snip...
1993
Shawnee County District Attorney Joan Hamilton begins to bring battery, assault and other charges — including eight counts of criminal defamation — against WBC members for a litany of alleged picket line abuses.
After Phelps responds by filing the first of three suits against Hamilton alleging wrongful prosecution, a court invalidates the state defamation statute, enjoins further prosecution of WBC members in the cases, and awards $43,000 in legal fees to the church.
snip...
1997
Claiming the city has not done enough to protect WBC picketers, Phelps threatens to sue Topeka if he is not paid $1 million. When the city demurs, Phelps sues for $7 million.
1978
In one of several civil rights cases filed by Phelps, an area school district pays almost $9,000 to Evelyn Rene Johnson (and over $10,000 in legal fees to Phelps) to settle a discrimination case.
Another Phelps case results in a settlement for blacks who were illegally searched by police at a party.
In 1986 and 1987, Phelps will receive three awards for his civil rights cases, including one bestowed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Fred Phelps awarded $16,510 in legal fees from dead soldier's father (updated) | Plog
Update:
Fred Phelps can stop waiting by the mailbox for a check from the father of a Marine killed in Iraq whose funeral was picketed by Phelps and his congregation.
Albert Snyder sued Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church and won a $5 million verdict. But it was overturned on appeal.
An appeals court says Snyder owes Phelps $16,510 for court costs. But Snyder told Fox News yesterday that
he's not going to pay Phelps
Fred Phelps: Fag Hater or just a Con Artist? | Orange Juice
