Legally Weird

Did Record Executive Cause Tweenage Riot by Failing to Tweet?

2009-11-24T20:04:02Z

Island Records executive James A. Roppo is being charged with felony assault charges in district court in Hempstead over Twitter. The record executive failed to tweet a message to disperse a throng of tweenage girls who were trying to see pop star Justin Bieber at Long Island's Roosevelt Field Mall this past Friday.

That's right. He's being charged over a failure to tweet. According to New York Newsday, he is also being charged with endangering the welfare of a child, obstruction of governmental administration, reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance.

The crowd at the mall got up to 3,000 people. The crowd was made up of mostly girls who were clamoring to see Justin Bieber. The girls got aggressive and started pushing and shoving each other. As a result, five people got hurt with minor injuries. One of those who suffered an injury was a police officer from the Nassau Police.

New York Newsday reports that the Nassau Police claims that Mr. Roppo was requested by them to tweet a message to ask the tweenage crowd to leave. New York Newsday quotes Diane Peress who is Nassau County's Assistant DA as saying that the music executive created a "very dangerous situation" because he failed to help police by sending the Twitter message.

The DA also worried that more people could have been hurt by the event. She was quoted as saying: "It's a miracle more kids and more people weren't injured." She also said: "Young people were being pressed up against the glass." The railing was pushed against so hard by the crowd that it actually became bent.

The music executive plead not guilty to all of the charges. This is not the first time the Nassau County DA has tried to criminally charge over crowd control in a shopping area. Just a year ago it made sure to strike a deal over the Wal-Mart trampling death during Black Friday. Check out our Related Resources for more information.

Related Resources:

If I am hurt because someone failed to act, might that person be found negligent and therefore be liable? (Findlaw)
Wal-Mart Agrees to New Crowd-Control Measures After Trampling Death (Findlaw's Injured Blog)
Justin Bieber Fans in Melee at a Mall (The New York Times)
Classifications of Crimes (provided by A. Scott Grabel & Associates)
Criminal Defense FAQ (provided by Michael T. Norris, Ltd. and John W. Callahan, Ltd.)

MySpace Used for 'Child Annoyance': Man Pays Teens to Spit at Him

2009-11-24T01:10:41Z

In another story that will doubtless convince the rest of the nation that California is truly the depository for nuts, flakes and out and out weirdos, a Thousand Oaks man was charged last week with paying teens for a spit in the face. This, along with several other activities that will not be delved into, caused So Cal resident Charles Hersel to be picked up by police for his unusual and upsetting hobbies.

Hershel was charged with "child annoyance."

The relevant California law (California Penal Code, Sec. 647.6) reads: (a)(1)Every person who annoys or molests any child under 18 years of age shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both the fine and imprisonment.

This section may point to an open question in this case as to the term "annoyance" -- and how much was actually being suffered by the teenagers. The participants, who were apparently first contacted via MySpace, helpfully shared the information with peers. "It didn't take long for word to spread among local teens that they could get paid to spit in a man's face," Capt. Frank O'Hanlon, of the Ventura County Sheriff's Dept. said.

Unlike circumstances where a perpetrator approaches minors on the street and can scare potential victims, Hersel seemed to find a few teen volunteers to aid him in these unfortunate activities. This question by no means excuses Hersel's conduct, but might point out a need in the law for protecting children from activities encouraged by an adult that the community would consider wrong, but do not rise to the level of face to face harassment, physical harm, or molestation.

Hersel was nabbed by police during a sting at local Westlake Mall. During part of the sting operation, a teen was offered $31 dollars to spit in Hersel's face. No word on how the apparently unstable man arrived at that amount as reasonable compensation.

Related Resources:

Ventura County man arrested for reportedly paying teens to spit on him (LA Times)
Cops: Man Paid Teens to Spit in His Face (KTLA)
California Pebal Code Section 647.6 (FindLaw)
Classifications of Crimes (provided by Rothman & Associates, P.A.)
Criminal Defense Overview (provided by Samuel J. Muldavin)

Update: Case Tips Over - Police Drop Tipping Charges

2009-11-23T22:25:59Z

As we recently discussed, Pennsylvania college students Leslie Pope and John Wagner were arrested by police last week for refusing to pay the 18% mandatory gratuity tacked onto their bill at the Leigh Pub in Bethlehem, Pa. That two-person crime wave came to an abrupt halt when, even after explaining they had received terrible service and would not be leaving any gratuities, pub employees had the students arrested.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said today that the Bethlehem commissioner planned to drop the charges. The DA agreed with the decision saying, "it would not be the kind of case that should be processed criminally. It was one of those matters that should be processed civilly."

Meanwhile, Lehigh Pub manager William Sheehan was shocked to find his case dropped by police. In a slightly unclear statement drafted by the pub's counsel, he told the press: "We do not agree with the facts as presented in the press last week. This is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Bethlehem Police Department, not Lehigh Pub, and we will defer to them as the legal process plays out." At this time, it seems that the police investigation has indeed played out.

One mystery remains. Sharp-eyed mother of accused perpetrator Leslie Pope noted to the Morning Call that the tip charged Pope and Wagner's party was not actually 18% as supposed, but more. Consumerist.com followed up, asking, was the discrepancy caused "by error, greed, or some detail that hasn't yet been revealed(?)"

The dinner service at Lehigh Pub may be abysmal, but your 15 minutes of fame are served up piping hot. Pope and Wagner are due to appear on CNN tomorrow.

Related Resources:

Police Drop Theft Charges Against Pub Non-Tippers (Consumerist)
DA: Police to withdraw theft charges against non-tippers (The Morning Call)
Gratuitous Theft: Couple Arrested for Leaving No Tip (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
Theft FAQ (provided by Law Offices of Leon J. Mezzetti, Jr., P.C.)
Classifications of Crimes (provided by The Shapiro Law Firm)

Gratuitous Theft: Couple Arrested for Leaving No Tip

2009-11-23T21:15:25Z

Q: When is a tip not a tip?

A: When it is a mandatory gratuity that when you refuse to pay, they haul you off to the pokey.

Yes, indeed, that is exactly what happened to Leslie Pope and John Wagner when they refused to pay the tip on their dinner bill after receiving appallingly bad service at the Lehigh Pub in Bethlehem, Pa. When they left after paying the main portion of the bill only, not including the "mandatory gratuity" often levied on large groups, the police obligingly showed up and snapped the cuffs on them.

Wagner and Pope explained they did not feel they should have had to tip their server because the service was so bad. Here is a short list of what they endured: Pope had to get up and get the silverware and napkins for the table herself, the group had to wait nearly an hour for their food, Pope had to go to the bar for a refill on her drink -- the waitress never returned to do it. After paying the $73 bill, the group explained to the bartender in charge that the service was so bad they would leave no tip. The bartender understood... and called the police.

Although the owner of the pub admitted the group had waited "unusually long for their food," he said the restaurant was quite busy that night. He goes on to claim the manager offered to comp the food to Wagner and Pope, a thing they say never happened.

Deputy Police Commissioner Stuart Bedics says he only wishes the patrons and pub owner had "worked this out without getting the police involved." Hopefully, the couple will remember to tip the judge when he dismisses their preposterous theft charges.

Related Resources:

Couple Busted for Refusing to Pay Tip (NBC Philadelphia)
Definition of "gratuity" (FreeDictionary.com)
Information about theft/larceny (FindLaw)
Classifications of Crimes (provided by Essmyer, Tritico & Rainey, L.L.P.)
Theft Charges (provided by Beresky & Fish, P.C.)

What Child Is This? Man Robs Store Holding Friends' Kid

2009-11-23T17:02:36Z

Do you really ever know who's watching the kids? Parents of a young boy in Norwalk, CA, thought they did, but not quite. While babysitting for "friends," 20 year-old Jeremy Gallegos allegedly went on a crime spree, including liquor store robbery, while holding his friends' young child in his arms.

Well, crime spree might be too strong a term, but Gallegos certainly was arrested and booked on suspicion of robbery and child endangerment according to Los Angeles County sheriff's detective, John Moore. While snuggling the child with one arm, Gallegos (allegedly) used the other to rob a man at gunpoint in the parking lot of a Norwalk store. Gallegos (allegedly) stole the victim's wallet and some alcohol -- just in case the little guy got thirsty.

The victim was not harmed.

All's well that ends well for the child and his family. But Detective Moore noted that although the boy is back with his parents, "they're not happy." No kidding. Next time, they might consider asking Grandma to babysit.

Sherriff's deputies obtained a search warrant and made a stop at Gallegos' home in La Mirada late on Thursday to search for evidence linking him to the crime. They must have found some because according to the sheriff's office, Gallegos currently is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail and is due for arraignment in Bellflower Superior Court next week.

Looks like he could really use the money he earned babysitting.

Related Resources:

Man suspected of carrying out robbery while holding child arrested (San Gabriel Valley Tribune
What is child abuse or neglect? (FindLaw)
Criminal Defense Overview. (provided by Monzon Law P.C., L.L.O.)
Criminal Law FAQs (provided by Law Office of John R. Fielding, Jr. & Associates)

Police Bust Teenager Trying to Sell Marijuana Door-to-Door

2009-11-20T22:07:41Z

It's fair to say that Anthony Carrazco probably isn't the best salesman.

The 19-year-old was arrested after allegedly trying to sell marijuana door-to-door.

His poor sales strategy led him to knock on one to many doors -- one that belonged to an off-duty police officer.

According to the Brownsville Herald, an intoxicated Carrazco went door to door looking for a buyer and when a man opened the door, he made the offer, police said.

Carrazco had tried to sell the officer three ounces of marijuana.

The cop told the teenager he would be right back and he returned with his badge and handcuffs.

Police say the teenager was also drunk and carrying a 9mm handgun in his bag.

Carrazco was charged with one count of possession of marijuana and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon.

Because the officer's apartment was located near a University of Texas campus (a drug free and weapon free zone), the charges were upgraded to state jail felonies.

So for Carrazco, it's back to the drawing board.

Beyond attempting to sell controlled substances door-to-door, next time he should maybe consider the 10 Signs You're A Bad Salesman.

Related Resources:

Criminal Law Basics (FindLaw)
Texas Marijuana Laws (FindLaw)
Drug Crimes (provided by George F. Hildebrandt, Attorney at Law)
Different drugs under the law (in FAQ) (provided by Law Office of John L. Venza Jr., P.L.L.C.)

Man Takes Bus, Puts the Joyride Video on YouTube

2009-11-20T16:50:52Z

A former employee allegedly stole his ex-employer's bus, took it for a joyride and then put a video of the joyride on YouTube for all to enjoy, including the cops.

Jacob Rehm's, four-minute video titled, "The Fabulous Bus Ride" has almost 30,000 views so far the video sharing site YouTube.

When questioned about his actions, Rhem said he felt inspired.

Prosecutor Todd Shove said filming a crime and posting the video on YouTube is unusual.

Rehm was charged with theft of services, operating a vehicle without owner consent and trespassing. He entered a not guilty plea on all three counts.

He does not deny he went for the youride or posted the video on YouTube.

On the video, the bus is parked by a roadside and Rehm is seen in the driver's seat as it travels down a road.

The former bus driver for Lamoille Valley Transportation, took the bus from the company's depot Nov. 2, the Associated Press reports. He was accompanied by friend Natalie Page, 38, headed south toward Allentown, Pa., but turned around in Connecticut after he realized the $200 worth of diesel he had bought wouldn't get them to Pennsylvania and back to Vermont.

Police caught Rehm in northern Vermont after the company's owners were told he had been seen driving through a schoolyard waving at children.

At his arraignment Tuesday, Rehm told the judge in Vermont District Court in Hyde Park that it was not premeditated.

Joel Prive, general manager of Lamoille Valley Transportation, said although Rehm behaved erratically at times he was never involved in an accident or traffic violation. Customers also complained about him acting oddly, he added.

The $583,000 bus, is normally used for New England fall foliage tours and national park tours and was not damaged.

If convicted on all three charges, Rehm could get 15 years in prison.

Morrisville Man Pleads Not Guilty to Stealing Tour Bus (WCAX.com)
Virginia Tech students charged with stealing a school bus (Roanoake Times)
Criminal Defense FAQs (provided by Steven Moore)
Classifications of Crime (provided by Raivio, Kohlmetz & Steen, P.C.)

'Geezer Bandit' Wanted in CA Bank Heists

2009-11-18T20:50:12Z

A retirement aged thief is allegedly behind four recent heists in two months in the San Diego area.

Law enforcement officials have dubbed the elderly armed bank robber the "Geezer Bandit," and are offering a reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

The man, believed to be in his 70s, is suspected of robbing five banks, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

His motives are anyone's guess.

Criminologists say, the motives are as elusive as suspects can be.

They say the only real way to know why he's robbing banks is to talk to him.

Furthermore, generalizing about the motives of elderly robbers is tough because they're so rare, crime experts say.

The most recent robbery was at the Bank of America on Girard Avenue near Kline Street in La Jolla. The robber displayed a handgun, asked a teller for cash and walked away, police said.

So far, the suspect was captured twice on surveillance cameras. The gray-haired man has a thin frame and weighs about 150 pounds. He was seen wearing a baseball cap, a blue blazer and several layers of clothing.

Here's a list of the robberies:

Sept. 12 at the San Diego National Bank on Ivanhoe Avenue.
Aug. 28 at US Bank on Mission Gorge Road in Santee.
Oct. 9 at US Bank on Carmel Mountain Road in San Diego.

The FBI is involved with the case because bank robbery is a federal offense. The agency has released new pictures and renewed a request for help. Three rewards totaling $16,000 are being offered.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at (858) 565-1255, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously by sending a message through its Web site www.sdcrimestoppers.com or by calling (888) 580-8477.

Elderly bank robbers hard to peg (San Diego-Union Tribune)
Criminal Law - The Basics (FindLaw)
Classifications of Crime (provided by Raivio, Kohlmetz & Steen, P.C.)
Federal Government's Role in Criminal Law (provided by Simms & Associates)

Fake News Movie Ads Force Settlement with Alaska News Outlets

2009-11-18T17:56:57Z

Universal Pictures recently had to reach a settlement with a number of news outlets in Alaska over its promotional movie ads that used fake news archives in order to promote their movie entitled The Fourth Kind.

LA Times reports that the movie studio planted fake news stories online that claimed to be from actual news outlets in Alaska. Some of the fake news stories that the movie studio planted were articles such as an obituary and news story about the death of the main character of the movie named Dr. William Tyler. The movie is supposed to be based on a "true story" about an alien abduction that took place ten years ago.

The attorney for several of the Alaskan news outlets told The Daily News-Miner that attributing fake news stories to actual media outlets eroded their credibility. He was quoted as saying, "If people can't rely on the fact that when they look at a news article on the Web that it's from the newspaper it appears to be, or is written by the reporter it appears to be, it erodes confidence in the world of journalism."

While the settlement has been a boon for Alaska journalists since it doubled the Alaska Press Club's annual revenues, it is still seen as a major faux pas by Universal Pictures.

The LA Times quoted Universal Pictures as saying that: "An early element of the online promotional campaign for 'The Fourth Kind' used stories published by some news outlets without permission and inaccurately attributed other stories to papers that were not their origin. When Universal Pictures came to recognize this tactic as overzealous, it immediately removed these stories from the Internet well before the film's release and entered into a mutually satisfactory resolution with the outlets.

The film itself challenges conventional beliefs by presenting cases of alien abduction and asking viewers to make up their own minds about its content. Universal regrets that this isolated element of the marketing for the film took this speculation a step too far."

Related Resources:

What is false advertising? (Findlaw)
Alaska Deceptive Trade Practices Laws (Findlaw)
Studio settlement reported for fake movie news (Findlaw)

Pay Stub Left Behind Leads to Arrest of Suspected Burglar

2009-11-17T20:58:35Z

Burglary 101: Don't leave your unemployment check stub behind.

A burglar was caught in the act by a resident who dropped his personal planner with the unemployment pay stub bearing his name and home address, the Union Leader reports.

Residents heard a noise coming from the front bedroom and thought it was a cat. But when they entered the room, they caught a man hiding behind a bedroom door.

The homeowners tried to detain the suspect, but the suspect fled through a back window.

The male resident told police the burglar was spotted in his daughter's bedroom.

Police said a daily planner belonging to Michael Noyer was found outside the window on the front porch. The words "Teamwork" in bold lettering and the phrase, "together we achieve the extraordinary" were emblazoned on the front it. Inside the planner was a state unemployment pay stub.

Officers then went to the address and found Noyers, 45, riding a bike. The suspect jumped off the bike and ran inside a building, according to court papers.

Police forced the door open to find Noyer allegedly trying to hide prescription containers in a hole in the wall.

He also had a small ceramic bear which the residents identified belonged to their daughter.

Noyer was arraigned today on burglary, possession of a narcotic, oxycodone, being a felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, falsifying physical evidence and resisting arrest.

Bail was set at $10,000 cash/surety on the felonies and $1,000 personal recognizance on the misdemeanors. He'll probably need a new personal planner to pencil in his eventual trial date.

Noyer also was charged in August with burglarizing the home of Hillsborough County Commissioner Toni Pappas.

Looks like Noyers' alleged burglary was anything but extraordinary.

The Check Is Someplace Stranger Than The Mail (Dumb As a Blog)
Burglary 101: Don't leave your prison ID behind (MSNBC)
Stages of a Criminal Case: Arrest (FindLaw)
Criminal Law FAQs (provided by Law Office of John R. Fielding, Jr. & Associates)
Find a Job After a Conviction (provided by Barnett & Falls)

Prison Hand Grenade Video Goes Public after Lawsuit Settles

2009-11-17T19:50:04Z

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has settled a lawsuit with the Associated Press by releasing a video of a guard tossing a non-lethal hand grenade into an inmate's cell.

The video was made public after the AP sued seeking a copy under the state's open records law. The department also agreed pay $5,000 to foot the bill for the AP's attorneys fees, the Associated Press reports.

The video footage shows a prison guard tossing a non-lethal stinger hand grenade, typically used for outdoor crowd control into an inmate's cell and running away as it detonates.

The AP originally requested the video after the state paid $49,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by inmate Raynard Jackson. He claimed the detonation of the grenade in his cell at a maximum security was excessive force.

The department did not admit any wrongdoing.

Under the settlement, the AP also agreed to allow the department to redact parts of the video that showed guards preparing for the use of force.

Jackson's case marks the first and only time a stinger grenade has been used inside a Wisconsin prison inmate's cell.

Legal experts say it is unusual for the department to go public with any video footage captured from inside the state's prisons.

Prison officials say they would no longer detonate such devices inside an inmate's cell but might consider doing so in event of an outdoor prison riot.

Jackson said he suffered from hearing loss after the blast.The stinger grenade causes a flash of light, a loud blast and the spraying of rubber pellets.

During those rare occasions when videos are released showing Wisconsin prison guards using force to remove inmates from their cells, generally it's shielded from the public under a court order.

Prisoners' Rights (American Civil Liberties Union)
Wisconsin Open Records (Wisconsin Circuit Court Access)
Rights of Inmates (in FAQ) (provided by The Law Offices of J. Darren Byers, P.A.)
Police Officer/Prison Guard Injuries (provided by Freeburn & Hamilton, P.C.)

Drunk Driver Crashes Car into North Carolina Courthouse

2009-11-17T17:50:08Z

Herbert Bristol got a primo parking space.

Authorities charged him recently after he purposely drove his vehicle through the side door of a North Carolina courthouse building.

His car continued down a hallway of the Morganton courthouse and came to a stop near the tax assessor's office in the main lobby.

reports, Herbert Bristol drove his car through the building then calmly got out, cigarette in hand.

Officials say, Bristol parked got out and lit up a smoke before walking away.

Bristol has said he didn't even remember the event until someone told him they saw him on TV. Once he found out what happened he turned himself in. In an interview with the media Bristol said he struggles with alcohol and drug problems.

Courthouse surveillance video shows the driver cutting off the headlights and turning on the 4-way flashers of the car. It also shows the driver then getting out of the car uninjured and casually walking away. At one point, the driver seems to contemplate going in the main door.

Police say, nobody was injured in the incident on November 6, at 1 a.m. Court proceedings took place as usual the next day, because courtrooms are on the second floor of the building, officials said.

However an undetermined amount of damage was done to offices on the first floor.

Bristol is charged with damage to property, breaking and entering, hit and run, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report an accident.

Police said they believe the suspect has an upcoming court date on a drunk driving charge.

He was given a $25,000 bond and is being held in the Burke County jail.

Hopefully, Bristol will choose alternative transportation when he goes to court for his DUI hearing.

State DUI Laws (FindLaw)
DUI Basics - DUI / DWI (FindLaw)
DUI Overview (provided by Hinkle, Jachimowicz, Pointer & Emanuel)
Drunk Driving Accidents (provided by The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.)

Who is John Scott? LA's Oldest Suspected Graffiti Vandal

2009-11-16T21:15:59Z

Who is John Scott?

That's the handle of one of the oldest alleged graffiti vandals ever caught in Los Angeles county, authorities said.

The Los Angeles Times reports that a 73-year-old tagging suspect, John Scott was arrested recently on suspicion of felony vandalism.

Detectives spent hours interviewing Scott to figure out his background.

Until his arrest, the oldest street vandal caught by police was 36.

Scott turns 74 next month.

"Who is John Scott?" stickers began popping up around L.A. on buses, light poles and street signs -- sometimes even with their own hand-drawn monikers.

One bus rider told the Times that he saw Scott, an older man with gray hair and a brief case on the No. 780 bus. He posted some orange stickers but abruptly got off the bus when he noticed he was being videotaped, the witness said.

Recently, police spotted an older-looking man placing orange and black bumper stickers near the downtown subway station on the hub's main stairwell. Scott had stickers in his pockets as well in a black briefcase he carried with him. His stickers promote his web site, which sells T-shirts and hats asking "Who is John Scott?"

Why might someone buy such merchandise? As Scott's website puts it, to "amuse your friends, confound your enemies, and inspire the masses to wonder what the hell is going on."

In the Times article, Sheriff's Lt. Erik Ruble explained that is difficult to peg graffiti artists. "It just goes to show, the graffiti culture in Los Angeles is not age-specific and is very diverse."

Authorities suspect Scott of causing several thousand dollars in damage, and he is being held in custody on $20,000 bail.

He faces at least one felony vandalism charge when he is arraigned today. Deputies did not immediately know if he had retained an attorney.

Guess the intrigue behind John Scott is over now.

Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Graffiti Vandalism Legislation (Office of the Governor)
Editorial: New weapon on taggers they must clean graffiti (Ventura County Star)
Graffiti on Public Property in California (FindLaw)
Classifications of Crimes (provided by Maynard, Truland & Ware, L.L.C.)
Criminal Defense FAQ (provided by Daniel, Thom & Katzman, P.C.)

Florida Man Arrested for Calling 911 Dispatcher, Asking for Sex

2009-11-16T19:50:51Z

911 is the number to call for a wide variety of emergencies. These do not include the emergencies recently experienced by Tampa's Joshua Basso.

Instead of calling a hotline or a 1-800 number, he called a 911 dispatcher looking for sex.

He claimed it was the only number he could dial after running out of cell phone minutes, the Associated Press reports.

Basso, is charged with making a false 911 call. The local Tampa news site reports that he admitted to making obscene calls to 911 in the past.

According to the Tampa police report, "The caller advised the 911 dispatcher that he was in the bathroom looking for sex and continued to make several obscene comments regarding masturbation and body parts."

Here is the 911 call Basso made for his sex emergency.

Police said he also asked the dispatcher if he could come to her house. The dispatcher hung up, but the man identifying himself as "Josh" continued to call back four more times.

When police arrived at his house, they found Basso in the bathroom. He told police he called 911 because it was free and he didn't think he could get in trouble for calling.

Basso admitted to authorities he asked the operator about her clothing, her breasts, and her "butt" and gave her his address.

He now faces a misdemeanor charge of misuse of wireless 911 system. Police reports show that Basso has arrests for theft and other crimes dating back to 2001.

Currently, Basso is being in held in a Tampa jail without bail.

Read Joshua Basso's Charge Report (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office )
Leave 911 off the list for sex emergencies (Ottawa Citizen)
Classifications of Crimes (provided by Law Offices of David T. Agoston, P.A.)
Criminal Defense FAQs (provided by Gary W. Owens)

US Chamber of Commerce Sues the Yes Men

2009-11-13T13:50:36Z

It seems like the US Chamber of Commerce doesn't have a very good sense of humor. Ars Technica reports that on top of their dislike of regulation and skepticism on climate change, they are now suing the comedic activist group called the Yes Men for fraud over the group's parody of the Chamber for their position on climate change.

The US Chamber of Commerce came under fire back in April because it filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency that evidence for climate change should be presented in public hearings. When that silly petition was ignored, they went even further and asked for a public trial which would question the science behind climate change as well as the laws that are in place to prevent it. This really made a lot of people angry with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and rightly so. It was only when big businesses such as Apple withdrew from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, that it did an about face on its stance.

However, the damage was done. As a result, the comedy group Yes Men took advantage of the situation and staged a complete parody of the US Chamber of Commerce where they staged a fake press conference and a website that wanted "an immediate moratorium on lobbying and publicity work opposing climate legislation."

Here is a video of the press conference parody here:

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is representing the Yes Men. The group is being sued for fraud. The Chamber of Commerce claims that the parody was not just a parody but a publicity stunt for the group for their books and movies.

You can check out the actual complaint submitted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce here. It claims a number of things including fraudulent misrepresentation, unfair competition, tarnishment, injurious falsehoods and cybersquatting as defined by the Consumer Protection Act; as well as a charge of civil conspiracy.

Related Resources:

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Files Suit Against Critics, Suspends Other Activities (Yes Men Page)
EFF to Represent Yes Men in Court Battle Over Chamber of Commerce Action (EFF Press Page)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Complaint (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)