LITTLE ROCK, Ark.-Attorneys for Arkansas Treasurer Dennis Milligan say he will appeal a judge's refusal to dismiss a lawsuit, alleging fraud.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that on Thursday Judge Chris Piazza rejected arguments by Milligan's attorneys that say their client is constitutionally exempt from such lawsuits.
An appeal of the decision would force an indefinite delay on the trial because the Arkansas Supreme Court is closed until September.
The plaintiff's attorney Luther Sutter says Milligan's appeal would be groundless, because it's based on a "last minute" defense argument that was abandoned at the beginning of the litigation in 2015.
The lawsuit against Milligan alleges he misused taxpayer money from the treasurer's office to promote himself "campaign style" by purchasing promotional materials such as key chains, ink pens and canvas grocery bags.