In a failed attempt at reverse psychology, the SouthtownStar a subsidiary of the Chicago Sun Times, is attempting to portray Komaa Mnyofu, 55, of Matteson, IL as a money-hungry, sly man who uses the law to his advantage to win lawsuits.

Mnyofu is currently seeking a seat on Rich Township High School District 227 Board — the very board he has sued twice — but SouthtownStar is blaming the man for not only “costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees but also collecting $340,000 in settlements,” as if his lawsuits against the district were frivolous ways for him to get rich quickly. District 227 board member David Morgan supports Mnyofu and says his lawsuits exude his passion for the betterment of the district. “(Mnyofu) is not the enemy,” Morgan said. “He has been portrayed as such. He has a temper but I can understand what has happened with him because it’s happened to me. … If I had an attorney, I would have sued the school district for having my rights of free speech violated. That’s what courts are for.” Cheryl Coleman, another District 227 board member, said Mnyofu had good ideas but must work on his approach.

Mnyofu’s most recent lawsuit against District 227 was filed in December 2010 and settled in December 2013 for $215,000. It claimed the district kicked Mnyofu out of board meetings when he tried to criticize the selection of Donna Simpson Leak as superintendent. The district also gave him a letter demanding he stop handing out leaflets containing allegations of misconduct by school officials. Citing a confidentiality agreement, district officials refused to release information on the first lawsuit it settled with Mnyofu in 2008. Mnyofu, however, said in a deposition last year that it resulted in a $125,000 settlement.

The first lawsuit, filed in 2003, claimed the district retaliated against him after he objected to the “homosexual safe zones” Rich East High School instituted in 2002. Three-inch, rainbow-colored triangles were put on some classroom doors, symbolizing emotional safety for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and straight students. The lawsuit also claimed that several district officials conspired with Mnyofu‘s ex-wife to prevent him from criticizing the district. Records show that District 227 spent more than $202,000 in legal fees fighting the two lawsuits.

So what does Mnyofu have to say about the criticism he has received? “I think people should make of it that I’m a person who is willing to fight for constitutional rights for free speech, that all parents and citizens can come to our board meetings and express their views no matter how contrary they be to the board’s policies,” Mnyofu said. “Any intelligent person looking at the facts wouldn’t come to the decision that I’m a litigious person making a living filing lawsuits.”

Do you believe Mnyofu should sit on the board he has sued?