Fifty-six-year-old Marshall Pappert says he didn't do anything wrong when he called Bridgeville Manager Lori Collins to complain. Pappert acknowledges writing repeated letters to lawmakers and other officials because he wasn't satisfied with the response to his complaints, and says he did nothing wrong because he never threatened or swore at Collins during the voice mail.
But borough officials say the message had a threatening tone and an Allegheny County judge upheld Pappert's harassment conviction and $300 fine last week.
The American Civil Liberties Union is helping Pappert appeal the case to Superior Court, saying the ruling could discourage activists from speaking up.
