RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Paul Goldman, activist and attorney known for speaking out against the Richmond casino proposal, has filed a lawsuit against Richmond officials to block the funding method recently approved for the Diamond District. According to court documents filed on Wednesday, May 9, Goldman is suing several city officials over the decision to fund Diamond District projects -- like a new stadium for the Richmond Flying Squirrels -- with $170 million in bonds. This proposed funding method was approved by the Richmond City Council a day prior, on May 8. "This ordinance authorizes, for the first time in the history of Richmond, the use of City monies raised through a general obligation bond offering to build a baseball stadium, the burden of paying the several-hundred-millions of dollars in debt service on these stadium bonds put 100% on the taxpayers of Richmond," the documents read, explaining Goldman's objection to the use of bonds. ‘Lets play ball’: Richmond City Council votes to put more money towards Diamond District development Goldman provided 8News with the following statement regarding his decision to sue: "I am leading the fight against the $280 million stadium debt Mayor Stoney wants to saddle the city with for the same reason I led the winning fight against the Casino: this latest Stoney/Council deal doesn't pass the smell test the way they done it. They're doing it in way that will enable politicians and their cronies  to hand out tens of millions in contracts without following city bidding laws because the goal is to give these financial benefits to the political friends of the politicians and make the people pay for it. Someone's got to protect the people interests, and  in the past, Doug  Wilder, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have called on me to help them do just that." Paul Goldman Defendants in the suit include Levar Stoney, Richmond City Council members, the clerk of Richmond's Circuit Court and the City Clerk of Richmond. The full complaint can be read below. Goldman Bond Referendum ComplaintDownload In addition to this lawsuit, Goldman also filed a second document: a motion for a temporary restraining order. Goldman wants the funding method to come down to a ballot referendum -- however, such a request would require a petition to get that question on Richmonders' ballots. Goldman has submitted this paperwork to stop the clerk from publishing a 30-day notice of that petition for two reasons. PREVIOUS: Pros of Richmond’s new plan to pay for its baseball stadium outweigh risk, city leaders say Goldman told 8News that the City has reportedly failed to tell him how many signatures he would need in order to make his petition to be approved. Additionally, Goldman said the City has not told him what wording he needs to use in the petition in order for it to be lawful. "This situation is not my fault, but the fault of government officials," Goldman told 8News. "I have spent weeks trying to get them to be proactive in trying to solve the problem. They have refused." The full temporary restraining order can be read below. Goldman Motion for TRODownload 8News reached out to Lincoln Saunders, the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond, for comment on this lawsuit. He provided the following statement: “Paul Goldman is at it again. By filing a frivolous lawsuit that flies in the face of the will of the residents who have been very clear that not only do they want the Squirrels to remain in Richmond but desire the much-needed development, housing and additional jobs that come along with building a world-class stadium. This meritless and undemocratic maneuver is yet another Goldman move to make Richmond lose the Squirrels and cost residents over $24 million. Needless to say, the City will continue the work and move this game-changing project forward.” Lincoln Saunders, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond