MINUTEMAN PROJECT WINS! GILCHRIST LOOSES 2 IN A ROW!
07*29*08
Daniel F. Lula, Esq
| Second Frivolous Defamation Suit Against Patriots Deborah Courtney, Marvin Stewart and Paul Sielski Stricken; Jim Gilchrist's Suit Follows the Same Path As That Of His Associate Stephen Eichler. |  JIM GILCHRIST |
Santa Ana, Calif. - July 29, 2008 - Judge Randell Wilkinson of the Orange County Superior Court today struck Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist's defamation suit against Minutemen Deborah Courtney, Marvin Stewart and Paul Sielski as a "strategic lawsuit against public participation." Gilchrist's suit against Barbara Coe, head of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, was also stricken on the same basis. Marvin Stewart and Deborah Courtney are members of the board of directors of Minuteman Project, Inc., and Paul Sielski is executive director of the corporation. Both have been embroiled in a dispute with Gilchrist regarding alleged financial irregularities within this high-profile nonprofit corporation.
On April 16, 2008, Gilchrist filed his defamation suit against these patriots, as well as Chelene Nightingale of Save Our State and Brook Young of Immigration Watchdog. Gilchrist claimed that the defendants had "defamed" him by speaking out about his transfer of the assets of the Minuteman Project corporation to a new corporation titled, "Jim Gilchrist's Minuteman Project," without board knowledge or approval. Under the relevant law, defendants Stewart, Courtney and Sielski are entitled to an award of the attorneys' fees and costs they incurred in defending themselves against Gilchrist's meritless suit. Gilchrist has already been ordered by the Court to reimburse Ms. Coe over $9,100 in attorneys' fees.
Gilchrist's frivolous suit against fellow anti-illegal immigration activists is the second in less than a week to be dismissed. Last week, Gilchrist's associate, Stephen Eichler, suffered the same ruling from Judge Kirk Nakamura. Eichler had filed a virtually identical defamation suit against the same defendants.
The vindictive and retributive behavior against fellow patriots by Gilchrist and Eichler is deeply disturbing to many in the anti-illegal immigration movement. Today's ruling should be heeded by them as a warning to engage others on the issues, not attempt to use litigation to squelch freedom and dissent.
The Minuteman Project was founded in early 2005 to secure America's borders by means of civilian volunteer observers. Incorporated in mid-2005 as a Delaware nonprofit corporation, the Minuteman Project is governed by a board of directors under applicable law.
Contact: Marvin L. Stewart,
P resident
(562) 221-1820
Daniel F. Lula, Esq.
(949) 851-1100
Wake Up America,
THE Wake Up America