Thursday, July 25, 2013

Second Cape Vincent blogger reaches settlement in defamation suit

CAPE VINCENT — The second of two local bloggers has reached a settlement agreement with a group of wind farm supporters who had claimed in a state Supreme Court lawsuit that they were defamed by comments posted on the blogs.
A stipulation of discontinuance ending the action against Kathryn A. Hludzenski, author of pandorasboxofrocks.blogspot.com, was filed Tuesday at the Jefferson County clerk’s office. A second blogger, Richard C. Wiley Sr., author of a blog at jeffersonleaningleft.blogspot.com, had reached a similar agreement in May.  Continue ... [Watertown Times]

Additional stories about the Cape Vincent Blogger's lawsuit from the Watertown times

Link here to original Document~King v HludzenskiDecision

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

The lawsuit is over and the only hint of a settlement we get is a letter published on both blogs from the law firm representing VFW and CFG saying the law firm was not paid by British Petroleum. Is that it? How odd and how strange.

If I were King, Masons, Burtons, White and Giaquinto and I spent all that BP money on this lawsuit, I think I would prefer to have $5 rather than a silly letter posted on the blogs saying BP did not pay "VORYS either directly or otherwise." We all know BP funds Trieste Associates, who in turn funds all these activities in order to isolate and insulate BP. I thought this is what is called money laundering.

I suppose none of this makes sense because a SLAPP suit is not about the end, but all about the beginning, which was designed solely to intimidate Pandora and JLL. Well, they did not shut them up or down and life goes on until we will all celebrate the day when BP goes home. Thank you bloggers for being a persistent burr under BP's saddle and for keeping the enemy at the gate.



Anonymous said...

Yup!

Anonymous said...

"...referred to the plaintiffs as a gang that was using “intimidation or exacting retribution” against people who had registered to vote in the town. Several seasonal town residents, most opposed to wind power, changed their voting registration from the municipality in which their primary homes are located to Cape Vincent in order to vote in town elections." WDT

And why wouldn't a seasonal resident be wise enough to register here?

I hope now that the attempts at intimidation (other than the occasional expletive, sneer or dirty look) have failed miserably, that seasonal residents will continue to see the need to register to vote in the place they love the most, where they have the most to lose, and where their one vote will count the most. That goes for seasonal residents of Clayton and Lyme as well.

Anonymous said...

This lawsuit was all about legal thuggery. SLAPPs are the dirtiest and won't even be touched by most lawyers.
As for King who appeared to be the ring leader perhaps with a little help from his friends according to him, several hundred counts of using a forged instrument with his name on it were committed. And he did nothing about it? And he claims Pandora knew that he did not sign it but said he did anyway. Geeeze...Gary King how the hell do you sleep at night and walk the streets without your head falling off?

Anonymous said...

7:12

Gary King's and Harold Wiley's names were on the bottom but I don't believe anyone has an actual signed copy. This was all a dirty rat fink move by the CFG and the Democratic party to take back Cape Vincent and give it to Bee Pee. In my opinion this is all legal and personal thuggery in support of Bp and any candidate they endorse would be dangerous to the community.

Anonymous said...

"If I were King, Masons, Burtons, White and Giaquinto and I spent all that BP money on this lawsuit"

In the beginning it looked like a plaintiff was trying to plant a story that 50 K was going to be used against the bloggers in the suit. If so, it looks like the VFW and CGF cost people in our community over a hundred thousand dollars in legal fees.

John Richardson said...

Kay, congratulations on a well fought battle against those that would try to suppress your first amendment rights.

The dismissal of the suits against you and Rick is all the evidence needed to show they were nothing more than an attempt at legal intimidation.

It appears the plaintiff’s didn’t even have the courage to show up in court to hear the final verdict or in this case the absolute dismissal of their frivolous claims.

You on the other hand showed tremendous courage under fire and are to be commended for protecting the Thousand Islands.

All the best,

John

Anonymous said...

Yes Kay...

You have endured the malicious SLAPP and more than that the horrible rumors spread and the public harassment and intimidation at public meetings when it seems every POF statement by a pro wind has to mention your work in a derogatory and slanderous way.

This was all political and I believe they wanted to shut you up so they would have a better chance to win one for Bp.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Richardson, it was a SLAPP at first amendment rights of free speech. But read the Gary King SC affidavit that shows how the CFG is after your right to vote as well.

Anonymous said...

Pandora
The second link is not working for me...

Anonymous said...

We felt it would go to the Judge because it was so strong in favor of defendants. But, the twist King brought by denying he knew his name was going to be used was a complete surprise. Hard to believe though considering his role.

Kathryn Muschell said...

All the links should be working now

Anonymous said...

Pandora's Box of Rocks

What the Cape Vincent bloggers have done to defend the Thousand Island community is invaluable. I firmly believe that any further legal and personal assaults against our freedoms to speak out and vote against the Bp action to take our community will be defended vigorously.

New York State, Jefferson County, The Golden Crescent and the Thousand Islands Regions are worth fighting for.

I donated several thousand to the Blogger Defense Fund. My suggestion. Dedicate the remaining to the defense of the Thousand Islands, change the name appropriately. At the end donate the money to one or those organizations dedicated to maintaining the integrity of this valuable New York region. In the name of what you bloggers have done.

Thank you

Anonymous said...

Thanks for fixing the link. I read the decision and you should be very proud and secure of the Judge's decision. SLAPP is under the scrutiny of Congress and I believe at some point SLAPP will be expedited and victims will be made whole and compensated beyond.

Anonymous said...

After learning more about SLAPP I learned in a SLAPP that the plaintiffs seldom show up in court to face those who they have accused.

Anonymous said...

Textbook SLAPP

Anonymous said...

Congrats for your steadfastness and determination to continue to fight for your beliefs! Hope you can continue without any further harassment.