Changes

In the 1970s, Fryar entered into a business relationship that he later regretted with [[attorney]] Charles Edward "Ed" Karst (1931-1992), who had been the mayor of Alexandria from 1969 until 1973, when he was succeeded by his former runoff election opponent, [[John K. Snyder]].  The two developed the former  Karst Park, a 500-unit low-income housing project in Alexandria and planned to expand into other cities. Karst would have provided the contacts with municipal officials, and Fryar would have handled the design and construction of the housing units. When Karst demanded payment, the two wound up in court in a protracted legal battle. Karst sued Fryar for [[slander]] and breach of contract; Fryar in turn sued Karst for extortion, [[blackmail]], physical assault, and forgery. Fryar's attorney, Joseph Minos Simon (pronounced SEE MOAN), Sr. (1924-2004) of Lafayette, accused Karst of extorting about $46,000 from Fryar between January 1972 and March 1974. Karst testified the money was payment for a clandestine business relationship which Fryar had initiated in the late '1960s. Karst admitted to striking Fryar at Fryar's office parking lot in early 1973, while he was still mayor. Simon argued that Fryar was trying to end the business relationship with Karst, but Karst claimed that the physical attack came over "disparaging remarks" that Fryar had made about his executive assistant. Karst was 6'3" and weighed 235 pounds; Fryar, merely 5'6". Karst asked Fryar for half of his property as settlement. Simon also submitted a letter, dated April 1974, as evidence in which Karst told Fryar to accept his settlement proposal, or he would implicate Fryar in criminal wrongdoing. Another letter from Karst to Fryar, dated August 1974, includes a request from Karst for $250,000 cash and a written statement from Fryar indicating that the money is a loan so that it would be exempt from federal [[income tax]]. Karst admitted to writing the letter but claimed the amount sought was a one-half settlement of their business dealings. As part of the proposed settlement, Karst wanted Fryar to deed him half of all the Karst Park land and improvements.<ref name=sswartz/>   

In the 1970s, Fryar entered into a business relationship that he later regretted with [[attorney]] Charles Edward "Ed" Karst (1931-1992), who had been the mayor of Alexandria from 1969 until 1973, when he was succeeded by his former runoff election opponent, [[John K. Snyder]].  The two developed the former  Karst Park, a 500-unit low-income housing project in Alexandria and planned to expand into other cities. Karst would have provided the contacts with municipal officials, and Fryar would have handled the design and construction of the housing units. When Karst demanded payment, the two wound up in court in a protracted legal battle. Karst sued Fryar for [[slander]] and breach of contract; Fryar in turn sued Karst for extortion, [[blackmail]], physical assault, and forgery. Fryar's attorney, Joseph Minos Simon (pronounced SEE MOAN), Sr. (1924-2004) of Lafayette, accused Karst of extorting about $46,000 from Fryar between January 1972 and March 1974. Karst testified the money was payment for a clandestine business relationship which Fryar had initiated in the late '1960s. Karst admitted to striking Fryar at Fryar's office parking lot in early 1973, while he was still mayor. Simon argued that Fryar was trying to end the business relationship with Karst, but Karst claimed that the physical attack came over "disparaging remarks" that Fryar had made about his executive assistant. Karst was 6'3" and weighed 235 pounds; Fryar, merely 5'6". Karst asked Fryar for half of his property as settlement. Simon also submitted a letter, dated April 1974, as evidence in which Karst told Fryar to accept his settlement proposal, or he would implicate Fryar in criminal wrongdoing. Another letter from Karst to Fryar, dated August 1974, includes a request from Karst for $250,000 cash and a written statement from Fryar indicating that the money is a loan so that it would be exempt from federal [[income tax]]. Karst admitted to writing the letter but claimed the amount sought was a one-half settlement of their business dealings. As part of the proposed settlement, Karst wanted Fryar to deed him half of all the Karst Park land and improvements.<ref name=sswartz/>   

After Karst left the mayor's office in June 1973, he moved to [[Mexico]], where he resided for more than two years. Simon accused him of living off Fryar's payments, which Simon alleged were intended to stop Karst from recording one of the deeds signed in the early 1970s. While living in Mexico, Karst said that he returned to Alexandria in a vain attempt to settle with Fryar. Simon asked if Karst had told Fryar that disclosure of their partnership deed would have a devastating effect on Fryar's career. Karst replied, "Possibly." Simon then asked if Karst also told Fryar if the U.S. government knew a city official had interest in a federal housing project, the government might cancel the project. Karst denied having made such a statement.<ref name=sswartz>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/215839427/|title=Karst Under Fire for Fryar Cash Payments|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|author=Steve Swartz|date=September 24, 1977|accessdate=August 8, 2018}}</ref>

After Karst left the mayor's office in June 1973, he moved to [[Mexico]], where he resided for more than two years and, according to Simon, lived off Fryar's payments. While in Mexico, Karst said that he returned to Alexandria in a vain attempt to settle the dispute with Fryar. Simon asked if Karst had told Fryar that disclosure of their partnership deed would have a devastating effect on Fryar's career. Karst replied, "Possibly." Simon then asked if Karst also told Fryar if the U.S. government knew a city official had interest in a federal housing project, the government might cancel the project. Karst denied having made such a statement.<ref name=sswartz>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/215839427/|title=Karst Under Fire for Fryar Cash Payments|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|author=Steve Swartz|date=September 24, 1977|accessdate=August 8, 2018}}</ref>

Karst said that a document stating the business arrangement was prepared in 1970 but was dated 1968. In 1972, Karst prepared another such deed, defining the half-ownership arrangement of Karst Park and other properties. The documents were to be recorded only if either man died or an arrangement could be made to dissolve the partnership. In his suit, Fryar claimed that Karst had forged Fryar's signature on one of the deeds and that Karst had originally coerced him into entering the partnership.<ref name=sswartz/>

Karst said that a document stating the business arrangement was prepared in 1970 but was dated 1968. In 1972, Karst prepared another such deed, defining the half-ownership arrangement of Karst Park and other properties. The documents were to be recorded only if either man died or an arrangement could be made to dissolve the partnership. In his suit, Fryar claimed that Karst had forged Fryar's signature on one of the deeds and that Karst had originally coerced him into entering the partnership.<ref name=sswartz/>