Nenshi awarded $10,000 in ongoing court battle with Cal Wenzel

Cal Wenzel has been ordered to payNaheed Nenshi$10,000 as part of an ongoing legaldisputebetween the two men that started when Calgary's mayormade a comment in an interview that Wenzel took offence to in 2013.

Judge David Gates'decision relates to an attempt by Wenzel, the founder of Shane Homes, to avoid a jury trial in his $6 million defamation suit against Nenshi for the comments, made during the 2013 municipal election campaign.

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Wenzelargued there should be a summary judgment becausehis case was overwhelming.

Healso wanted amendments made to his statement of claim.

But the judge deniedWenzel's application for a summary judgmentand ruled that many ofWenzel's amendments were unwarranted or amounted to arguments rather than statements of fact.

The judge ordered Wenzelto pay $10,000 in legal fees doublethe agreed-upon coststo Nenshi.

The ongoing court action began whenNenshimade a moviereference, after video surfaced of Wenzel urging a room full of homebuilders to help defeat candidates he considered anti-development.

Wenzelsaysthe mayor'scommentsinsinuated hebroke election laws and runs amafia-likeorganization.

Pending a settlement, the defamation case will go before a judge and juryin February.