9.1. SR 01-20-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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began documenting nearly every interaction he had with anyone involved in his case. Almost two years after the investigation began, Lynch's case remains open, and his safe is still missing. But the return of his safe is no longer Lynch's top priority. "That comes second," Lynch said. "I've got to get them first for what they've done. I've got to expose the corruption, and then I'll get my safe back." But exposing corruption isn't cheap. Lynch, who became unemployed after his auto mechanic business burned down, estimates that he has spent more than $24,000 from a savings account in his crusade. "I've spent every dime I have to fight these people, but I'm not going to give up," Lynch, 44, said. "If I have to be homeless, I'll be homeless." Photo by Lisa Sorg James Michael Lynch estimates he's spent about $5,000 on 50 signs and $20,000 on legal fees. Over the past few months, the Durham City Planning Department has fielded a number of complaints about Lynch's signs. However, Assistant Planning Director Patrick Young said Lynch has complied with the city's sign regulations, which fall under the Durham United Development Ordinance. "This is certainly unusual and unprecedented in terms of number of signs and the duration of time they've been up, but he's not breaking the law," Young said. Tell that to Durham County Criminal Magistrate Steven R. Storch, who was cited with illegally removing one of Lynch's signs in April. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 21. Storch was cited after he allegedly boasted at a city council meeting that he had removed the sign. Sheriffs Deputy Ricky Buchanan, who at the time, was running against Andrews, reportedly overheard Storch and relayed the information to Lynch. Lynch then reported Storch to Durham police. "They charged me with a statute from 18- fucking -85," Storch said. "I did no wrong. I broke no law." Storch said the statute is outdated; it originally prohibited people from tampering with signs ordering the return of loose livestock. "I'm not a sheriff. I was just personally offended by the signs," Storch said. "They make the whole town look bad." Lynch responded by posting several anti - Storch signs. Storch said he contemplated suing Lynch, but he decided not to after checking Lynch's assets, which are few. Hundreds of pages of notes lie neatly in manila folders covering Lynch's kitchen table and counter. These folders contain what Lynch says is "criminal evidence," enough to send Andrews and several other current and former employees of the sheriffs office to jail. Lynch said he believes his evidence proves that Andrews lied to him in an attempt to protect his colleagues, whom Lynch had already filed complaints against, and to cover up the theft of Lynch's safe. Whether Lynch's "evidence" is conclusive is questionable, but its thoroughness is not. Fearing that nobody would believe him if it came down to his word against the sheriffs, Lynch recorded almost every phone call and in- person conversation he had with anyone connected to his case —more than four hours' worth. "Thank God for a motherfucking recorded phone call," Lynch said. Lynch says his friends have urged him to abandon his two - year fight against the sheriffs office.