Long Beach Trump fan, city set to settle $25M flag suit for $50G

A Long Beach resident seeking $25 million from the city after being ordered to remove pro-Trump flags from public property near his boardwalk apartment will settle for $50,000.

Michael Wasserman, 67, had filed the federal lawsuit against Long Beach in May 2021, alleging the citation he was issued violated his right to free speech under the First Amendment. Long Beach had said Wasserman received the $200 ticket for violating a section of city code that says in part, "no sign shall be erected, affixed or maintained within the perimeter of any public mall or upon any public street or public property."

The city and Wasserman tentatively agreed to the deal last month and a final settlement is expected by April.

"It's a good settlement and I advised the council to do it," City Corporation Counsel Greg Kalnitsky said Tuesday, declining to discuss financial details of the agreement.

Wasserman's attorney, Andrew Campanelli, said the settlement validates his client's central reason for suing the city in federal court.

"He is adamant he is going to stand firm in exercising his First Amendment rights and he thought this was a reasonable resolution," Campanelli said. "It seemed relatively clear there was a violation of his rights and the city’s sign law regulates signs by content, and he was treated differently than others."

Wasserman has consistently flown a cadre of flags in support of President Donald Trump — some with profanities directed at former President Joe Biden — from his Broadway apartment balcony facing the boardwalk since 2017, and also on his vehicle.

City council members voted unanimously during their Feb. 17 meeting to settle the case under the recommendation of a federal judge. Several residents spoke during the meeting opposing the settlement.

At the time of Wasserman's citation, Long Beach police said they had received multiple community complaints about his display.

Attorneys for the city said in a letter to U.S. Eastern District Magistrate Judge James Wicks that the city and Wasserman’s attorney should have a final settlement in the next few weeks.

Asked at the February meeting how much Long Beach had spent on legal fees connected to the lawsuit, Kalnitsky said it was under $10,000.

Wasserman sued Long Beach after receiving the ticket in March 2021 for flying the flags on a public street outside his apartment, including on his car.

City officials said the ticket was issued after Wasserman refused to remove the flags. He was not cited for flying flags on his balcony, because it is considered private property, officials said.

Wasserman planned to donate proceeds of the settlement after legal fees to the Posh Pets Animal Rescue in Long Beach, Campanelli said.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.