The Partial Financial Cost of Pascal’s “Crusade” against Gallatin Taxpayers

The truth behind Pascal’s alleged use of hundreds of fake profiles in his war against 35-year Gallatin businessman and resident Bart Bagsby.

By: Bart Bagsby

Whatever “righteous” cause Pascal Jouvence believes he is pursuing, Gallatin taxpayers are the ones paying the bill. The four legal invoices obtained via a public records request for Pascal Jouvence v. Paige Brown document $44,626.26 in legal expenses associated with the case from September 2025 through May 2026. This is not abstract “city money.” It is taxpayer money! Those dollars provided by Gallatin families and businesses that otherwise support the services and priorities residents expect from their local government. The first invoice alone totaled $3,759.00.

Howell and Fisher - Jouvence v. Brown 12.11.25_Redacted.pdf

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Note: All redactions were made by the City of Gallatin prior to the records request fulfillment.

The costs then accelerated. A subsequent invoice totaled $10,195.50, representing 40 hours of legal work.

Howell and Fisher - Jouvence v. Brown 1.16.26_Redacted.pdf

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By March, another invoice documented 111.5 hours of attorney time, $28,318 in legal services, $729.76 in expenses, and a final bill of $29,047.76.

Howell and Fischer - Jouvence v. Brown 3.27.26_Redacted.pdf

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A later invoice added another $1,624.00 for 6.6 hours of legal work.

Howell Fischer - Jouvence v. Brown 5.29.26_Redacted.pdf

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Together, those four invoices amount to $44,626.26 in documented taxpayer expense and 172 hours of attorney time.

Jouvence has characterized the dispute as one involving his ability to represent his constituents, including disagreements over visual presentations and placement of matters on meeting agendas. Mayor Brown has responded publicly that she has been operating under the city charter, municipal rules, and guidance from the city attorney. Residents can decide for themselves who is right about those disagreements. But there is no disagreement about one consequence shown in these records: Gallatin taxpayers have been required to fund the legal response.

That is the distinction worth keeping front and center. Political disputes can be presented as battles over principle, transparency, or standing up to City Hall. Just remember, city government does not reach into its own pocket when litigation begins, it reaches into yours. Based solely on the four invoices provided, that tab has reached at least $44,626.26.

I wonder how much he could have saved the taxpayers with a civil and respectful conversation. I guess we’ll never know. 

Bart