Lawsuit against alt-right groups at protest dismissed “This lawsuit was a work of fiction that read more like a partisan press release than a lawsuit. The attorney that filed this action has behaved like an extremely radical activist and not like an att
One of the stranger lawsuits generated by the fatal unrest in the streets of Kenosha has already been dismissed.
A New Jersey dog trainer claimed various people involved in the Kenosha events — and those in a much wider altright conspiracy — had violated his civil rights and those of many others fearful of the groups’ armed intimidation and past violence.
John Bellocchio said his business, Fetch & More, suffered because of canceled events and customers’ concerns. In fact, his attorney, Jennifer Sirrine of Massachusetts, said that’s why she was asking to voluntarily dismiss the complaint for now — because Bellocchio can’t afford to keep litigating. Her motion to dismiss suggests he might refile if and when his finances improve.
The 27-page civil complaint included intertwined histories of groups like the Proud Boys, events in Kenosha and Charlottesville, Va., and roles of some individuals as reported in news coverage to explain the conspiracy it said was destroying Bellocchio’s nationwide business.
One of the named defendants, former Kenosha Ald. Kevin Mathewson, issued a news release about the dismissal.
“This lawsuit was a work of fiction that read more like a partisan press release than a lawsuit. The attorney that filed this action has behaved like an extremely radical activist and not like an attorney.”
Mathewson called the suit frivolous and a minor distraction.
“I didn’t do anything that was not protected by the first and second amendments. Justice wins.”
Prior to the evening of Aug. 25, Mathewson had posted on the Facebook page for the Kenosha Guard, urging “patriots” people to arm themselves and come downtown to “defend the city against evil thugs.” He and dozens of others armed with rifles showed up during the third night of protests over the shooting of Jacob Blake by a Kenosha police officer. The shooting left Blake paralyzed.
Among them was 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, of Illinois, who fatally shot two people and wounded a third, and was also named as a defendant in Bellocchio’s suit. Rittenhouse faces homicide charges and is free on $2 million bail. His attorneys say he acted in self-defense.
He and Mathewson and Ryan Balch, of Jackson, are also named defendants in a separate lawsuit by four protesters, who say the armed men and Facebook fomented the deadly violence in Kenosha.