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

Cal Wenzel has been ordered to pay Naheed Nenshi $10,000 as part of an ongoing legal dispute between the two men that started when Calgary's mayor made 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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Wenzel argued there should be a summary judgment because his case was overwhelming. 

He also wanted amendments made to his statement of claim. 

But the judge denied Wenzel's application for a summary judgment and ruled that many of Wenzel's amendments were unwarranted or amounted to arguments rather than statements of fact.

The judge ordered Wenzel to pay $10,000 in legal fees — double the agreed-upon costs — to Nenshi.

The ongoing court action began when Nenshi made a movie reference, after video surfaced of Wenzel urging a room full of homebuilders to help defeat candidates he considered anti-development. 

Wenzel says the mayor's comments insinuated he broke election laws and runs a mafia-like organization.

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