Lawsuit Claims Tuscaloosa Candidate Owes $150,000, Gaines Alleges Political Blackmail

A real estate agent who is seeking a seat on the Tuscaloosa City Council was sued in circuit court Thursday and accused of owing the widow of a local investor more than $150,000.

In a complaint filed earlier this week and independently obtained by the Tuscaloosa Thread, Northport woman Tammy Tierce accused Eric Gaines of borrowing a large sum of money over several years from her and her late husband, Memnon "Mem" Tierce, who died in October 2024.

Mem Tierce ran Tiece & Company, a Tuscaloosa-area investment firm. Gaines is running against incumbent John Faile and challenger Lisa Young for the District 6 seat on the city council. 

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That reportedly involved loans in April and June 2024 which, with agreements, totaled more than $76,000. Another June 2024 loan involved a $35,000 principal with a provision to pay an additional $20,000 upon the sale of a property Gaines was meant to sell. '

Tierce also said Gaines owns her $16,000 for unpaid debt acquired in 2021 and 2022.

All in, Tierce claims Gaines owes her $154,303 and in her lawsuit, she said despite the closure of one of the properties he borrowed money to sell, Gaines "has failed and refused to pay the sum due" under the promissory notes the parties signed, which also allegedly allowed Tierce to sue and collect the money in case of default.

Tierce asked Circuit Judge Daniel Pruet to make a judgment against Gaines and force payment of that amount plus interest and court costs.

Tierce declined to comment on her lawsuit beyond the allegations in her complaint, which was filed Thursday.

On Saturday, Gaines claimed Tierce filed the lawsuit in an attempt to keep him from running for city council.

"On February 6, 2025, the plaintiff and I had a meeting," Gaines said in a statement. "She told me to drop out of the race or she would file a lawsuit against me.  See everyone at the polls March 4th."

For coverage of the election Tuesday and more on the lawsuit as it progresses, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.