Lawsuit filed for Stalking, Harassment, Defamation and Libel of Indie Writer
Press Release
Today a lawsuit was filed in a Minnesota court bringing action against a website that specializes in the stalking, harassment, defamation and libel of writers, reviewers and book lovers.
Rick Carufel, an indie writer and blogger has filed a complaint in the 3rd District court of Minnesota against a website, stopthegrbullies.com for a continued personal attack that aims to destroy his reputation, career and livelihood as a self-published author.
The Stop the GR Bullies website, although professing to defend abused authors and collecting donations under that premise, is actually a hate site that launches endless personal attacks on writers, reviewers and readers.
In addition to attacks the person/s behind the website hides behind multiple aliases and therefore a motion was also filed to compel the ISP that hosts that website to reveal the personal identity of the owner of that website.
This is a landmark case that challenges the use of aliases for malicious purposes online, specifically attacks on authors.
“The practice of anonymous personal attacks on line, as well as a hidden bullying problem, that victimizes fledgling writers is a growing problem that has reached epidemic proportions. Just as school bullying online has resulted in the deaths of several students by suicide, so too will the stalking and bullying of self-published writers end with the same results if these anonymous personal attacks are allowed to continue.” siad Mr. Carufel
It is the hope of Mr. Carufel that this case will bring to light the serious problems of online stalking, harassment, defamation and libel Indie writers face.
“….a little TOO ironic.”
-Alanis Morissette