Help! I am being sued for my participation in davis_square

[ron_newman]

Twenty-five minutes ago, a constable delivered to me an unexpected package. It is a lawsuit by Jonathan Graves Monsarrat, alleging that he was libeled by me, Deb Filcman, and "John and Jane Does 1-100, presently unknown individuals". He is seeking $500,000 in compensatory damages, $5 million in punitive damages, and deletion of various LJ posts and comments.

I am called (incorrectly) "the moderator" of this forum.

Many participants here are named by LJ handle. "Plaintiff intends to identify the Doe Defendants through means of discovery and will amend this lawsuit to identify the Doe Defendants by proper legal names upon obtaining such information"

If I don't reply within 20 days, a default judgment will be entered against me.

All possible advice and help would be greatly appreciated right now.

In particular, if anyone here is or knows an appropriate attorney who'd be willing to help out at least a bit pro bono, let me know.

ETA 5/1/13: please see this followup post for PDF scans of the amended complaint I was served with, as well as the original complaint that I never received. Please continue the discussion there after reading the complaints.

Comments

[ron_newman]

it's about this post, and various related discussions on the Somerville Journal blog, davis_snark, sf_drama, and a community called 'otf_wank' on an LJ-like site called 'journalfen'

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

That's over 3 years old! actually, that must be what caused this, because the statute of limitations appears to be 3 years for libel. So, I would think that its beyond the statute of limitations, but he may be pointing to a specific response that's slightly more recent?

[ron_newman]

He filed the complaint on Feburary 4, 2013, but only served me with it today.

[en-ki.livejournal.com]

I like how that's one day short of three years after Sheeri essentially dared him to sue.

JonMon, I double-dog-dare you to go away! The statute of limitations on the double-dog-dare is 24 hours.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Why not just delete the posts (the ones here, I mean)?

[ron_newman]

I don't think that would let me off the hook. In fact, it would constitute destroying evidence.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Well, isn't his suit seeking to delete certain posts and comments?

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

While on the one hand I want to know all 100 Does, so I can alert my friends and possibly myself (although I don't think I said anything in the thread) I think you should not identify other people who are parties in the suit until you have a lawyer, and then probably not in public.

In fact, my entire I AM NOT A LAWYER advice here is to say nothing more until you have consulted with an attorney.

[ron_newman]

I'm deleting the comment you replied to, since I can't edit it anymore. After removing any reference to specific LJ users, it says:

Yes, but it's also seeking $5.5 million in monetary damages from me, Deb Filcman, and "John and Jane Does 1-100, presently unknown individuals" identified only by online handle.

Also, I have no control whatsoever over davis_snark, sf_drama, journalfen, or the Somerville Journal blog.

[cos]

I think that would be an unfortunate response to something like this, and also fear that it'd give someone in the future justification for getting things deleted.

[pywaket.livejournal.com]

Because, for lack of a better term, that's allowing the terrorists to win.

[etana.livejournal.com]

This. Pissed off. Ron, can we help you pay for an attorney if you find one!?

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Cosigned.

[highwayhawk.livejournal.com]

Ditto.

[tikva.livejournal.com]

OMG, THAT GUY?!? Ron, I'm gonna apply to law school RIGHT NOW so I can become a lawyer so I can represent you because seriously, holy crap.

(Hi, have we met?)

[antimony.livejournal.com]

FYI, otf_wank, if you're not familiar with it, spun out of fandom_wank (also on journalfen) which highlighted bizarre wanky things happening in fandom -- otf_wank was the spinoff for non-fandom discussion. It's another snark community.

I don't have any legal advice, but good luck.