Senator Dickey Wins Car Lien Lawsuit

PACKWOOD – The lawsuit against State Senator Adrian Dickey, launched by his daughter, ex-wife and ex-wife’s husband, was ruled in the Senator’s favor on Sept. 16. In 2020, Adrian Dickey purchased a new car for his daughter, Korynn Dickey, referring to it as a “no strings attached” gift. Shortly after purchasing the car, Senator Dickey signed a Lien Application for the car, allegedly forging his daughter’s signature to do so. In May of 2023, the car was totaled. Adrian Dickey collected the insurance money for the car. Korynn Dickey and the Husteds sued the Senator, claiming that the Lien Application had been taken out without Korynn’s knowledge or permission.

During the trial, Adrian Dickey’s lawyer presented text messages, shared between the Senator, Korynn Dickey, and Shawna Husted on the day of the car’s purchase, where he repeatedly stated he would be the lienholder for the car. Plaintiffs’ attorneys argued that Korynn did not know what it meant for her father to be a lienholder, and that she lacked the mental capacity to understand the agreement due to what her mother described as “adulting struggles,” including substance abuse problems. The court rejected these claims, due to Korynn’s substance abuse problems and in-patient treatment occurring in 2022.

Senator Dickey launched a counterclaim defamation lawsuit, arguing that his daughter made misleading posts about him on social media. Korynn Dickey repeatedly refused to comply with court orders and give access to social media posts and text messages as part of the discovery process, resulting in a default judgment. The court also noted several exchanges where the Husteds discussed bribing Korynn or instructing her on what to say in court, and exchanges where the Husteds discussed spoliating evidence and delaying productions so Adrian Dickey would need to file motions and “spend more money.”

The court awarded Adrian Dickey the $26,686.75 in insurance money. Dickey was also awarded $1 for the defamation counterclaim.