NJ cease and desist order brings scathing rebuttal

[June 20, 2013]  NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Rare is the legal rebuttal that calls a cease and desist order a "literary gag gift" and uses the phrase "big meanie."

Then there's the sarcasm-laden document that landed on the desk of the West Orange, N.J., township lawyer Monday.

It's a response to a cease and desist order sent to a township resident who started using the website westorange.info in May.

The township said it would likely "deceive the public" and must be taken down.

The man's lawyer, Stephen B. Kaplitt, sent a scathing rebuttal reminding the township lawyer about the First Amendment.

Kaplitt even makes fun of the website, saying it's "so minimalist that it arguably qualifies as modern art."

Kaplitt has not heard from the town, which did not return requests from The Associated Press for comment.

[Associated Press]

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