New Haven attorney Kevin Smith said he's received positive feedback since he and partner Norm Pattis filed a federal lawsuit April 3 alleging New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker maligned a local restaurant over COVID-19 concerns.

"Why were they singling this place out?" Smith asked Monday. "We've gotten many emails and calls thanking us for filing this complaint."

That lawsuit alleged Elicker, a Democratic politician, targeted 50′s Lounge, which had often been a gathering spot for his political opponents. It seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and money damages, based on allegations of defamation, invasion of privacy by false light, violation of constitutional rights, intentional infliction of emotional distress and reckless infliction of emotional distress.