SEATTLE -- The city yesterday filed suit against Mighty Movers Inc. in an attempt to collect nearly $7,000 from the moving and storage company for repeatedly violating the city's ban on utility pole posters. The city has removed nearly 132 Mighty Movers ads from utility poles during the past four months, making the company one of the most prolific postering scofflaws, city officials said. But to date, the city said the firm has not paid the $53-per-sign fine.
It is the 10th lawsuit brought by the city against poster-ban violators and it comes as a citizens group is working to overturn the 1994 ban at the ballot box. Critics have complained that the prohibition has stifiled free speech and made it difficult for local artists to attract audiences.