A man who wears a suit covered with pennies is suing KVOA reporter Sandy Rathbun after she told the man she would not do a news story about his candidacy for Pima County's District 1 Supervisor position.

Stephen "Pennyman" Baker filed the suit on Oct. 4 and is asking for $1,250, claiming that his freedom of expression was violated.

He said Rathbun called him for an interview Oct. 2. After Baker dropped off material on who he was, he said she called back the next day and said KVOA does not feature write-in candidates.

Baker said he thinks Rathbun discriminated against him because he is famous for making clothing out of pennies.

His jump suit, which he travels around in, is made of 3,568 pennies and was featured in the 1990 Guinness Book of World Records. It weighs about 32 pounds and took him 800 hours to make.

"She thought I was ridiculous," Baker said.

Mick Jensen, KVOA news director, said he could understand Baker's disappointment, but that it was hardly basis for action.

"We simply made a news judgment about a story," he said.

Baker said he thinks it was more than that.

"I've had like 48 television interviews and never have been treated like this," Baker said. "It was a slap in the face."

Now Rathbun will have to explain her actions to everyone, he said.

"I want her to learn integrity, to be honest and not hide behind rules," Baker said.

In a letter responding to the suit Baker filed, Rathbun's lawyer asked that the motion be dismissed and transferred to Justice Court. The letter also includes a request for payment by Baker of costs and attorney's fees.

"The claim itself is patently frivolous," the letter further states.

The three other District 1 candidates are Democrat Wayne Bryant, Republican Mike Boyd and Michael Kuntzelman. Rathbun said Kuntzelman is also a write-in candidate and will not be featured.

"The others get noticed for free and I don't," Baker said.

Jensen said, "The bottom line is we didn't consider him a legitimate candidate."

Baker said he wanted to run for the position because he wants to play a part in his government.

"I'm one of these people who think you can't win if you don't play," he said.

Baker said if he were elected he would mobilize a volunteer force of citizens with cars and cellular phones to patrol neighborhoods. It would be called "Citizens on Patrol" and provide people with a sense of security knowing that somebody was always watching out for them.

He also said he would make all meetings open to the public and allow them to chime in whenever they wanted.

Baker said he travels around the country in his penny clothing spreading his message to "Be cents-a-bull."

He said he is currently working on covering a 1969 Ford van with pennies and bull horns to emphasize his motto. He said he also makes penny skirts, bathing suits, shirts and various other clothing.

Baker said he thinks money is a link between people.

"If everyone gave a penny to a stranger what a wonderful world this would be," Baker said.

Along with running in the Boston Marathon in his penny suit, Baker said he is also an Elvis impersonator and travels to Graceland often. He said he never accepts money for his appearances, but does sell penny jewelry sometimes.

Baker said he began his hobby when he was 38. He said he did his Elvis impersonations in Las Vegas with his penny suit and everyone really liked it, so he kept going.

"Other impersonators have said if Elvis were alive he would wear the suit," Baker said.

---

Daily Wildcat News Opinions Sports PoliceBeat Comics