SLAPP
Lawsuits
Our books and web site prevented more than $2 million from
going out of your savings and into the pockets of scam artists.
We warned about American Benefits Group
before these "investments" were exposed as a Ponzi scam.
We warned about
Alpha Capital Group before fraud investigators knew the company existed.
We
helped viators who were not paid, or not paid in full.
We give emotional support
and practical advice to suddenly destitute investors and to viators and their
family members.
For these activities we have been "rewarded" by having five
frivolous lawsuits filed against us -- lawsuits designed to shut us up and drive us out of
business.
Truth is the best defense but these suits are not
designed to go to trial. The purpose of SLAPP lawsuits
is to chill freedom of speech and press by bankrupting the defendant (in this case, Gloria Wolk).
This is how wealthy companies abuse the legal process and the justice system.
As defined by Britton D.
Monts, our Texas attorney in the
SLAPP suit filed in 1999 by
Life Partners,
Inc.,
"On one side is a company that
resents criticism, and is eager to stifle the voice of a public advocate who speaks out on
a controversial issue. On the other side is an outspoken individual committed to
preventing viatical companies from victimizing patients and investors. As in all SLAPP
lawsuits," said Monts, "First Amendment issues are at risk. This is a clear
challenge to freedom of speech and freedom of press."
The term "SLAPP," coined
by University of Denver sociologist Penelope Canan and law professor
George Pring, authors of "SLAPPS: Getting Sued for Speaking Out," refers to
strategic lawsuits against public participation. "SLAPPers" usually are private
parties, big money interests who intimidate people from speaking out since the expense of
defending themselves can bankrupt most individuals.
SLAPP suits commonly are brought by
corporations, real estate developers, or other private parties who object to letters to
the editor, web site criticism or other publications, testimony at zoning hearings, petitions to Congress or
state legislatures, or who file public interest lawsuits.
Unless quickly extinguished by
the courts, SLAPPers chill the democratic process. That is why more than a dozen states
have anti-SLAPP laws. These laws allow SLAPP victims to bring a motion early in the case,
before expenses go through the roof, to force the SLAPPer to present evidence that it has
a reasonable chance to win.
Defending a lawsuit, even a frivolous one, is costly
in terms of time, energy, and finances. We desperately need your
support -- moral support as well as dollars for defense.
"If liberty means anything
at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." -- George
Orwell
If the information we provide is helpful to you, please contribute whatever
you can spare. No amount is too small.
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