Jim O’Bryan & Lakewood Observer – Lawsuit. “He who controls the media, controls the message.”

[Corey Rossen]

Well, well, well…it all becomes so very clear. All the hatred, mud slinging, defamation and ranting become so very clear by just following the money.

Fact - there is a lawsuit against Jim O'Bryan and the Lakewood Observer, recently filed.

I am still looking into this, but this my guess as to how this has gone down…

Just follow the money:
~Jim O’Bryan - facing a lawsuit that could cost him money.
~Lakewood Observer - facing a lawsuit that could cost it money.
~Brian Essi – I was told he is one of Jim and the Observer’s attorneys (who is padding his pockets with his client’s money).

It makes sense now:
~Jim hates Rick Uldrick. Jim attacks Rick, Rick’s one time employer, City Hall and the Mayor and all things surrounding it. He is relentless.
~Brian is paid by Jim. Therefore, Brian is paid to hate Rick Uldrick, City Hall, the Mayor and whatever else his client is paying him to hate and attack.

~Rick files a lawsuit against Jim and the Lakewood Observer.

Here is the complaint - https://cpdocket.cp.cuyahogacounty.us/i ... Mb_nMdHGo1

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(I think…I fit into this and all the attacks because I did not immediately follow Jim’s beliefs about the City and asked questions. Jim attacks. Brian is paid by Jim and attacks whatever his clients asks him to attack. In the process, Jim and the Lakewood Observer have attacked myself and my charity with an attempt at defamation - all this with Brian Essi on the payroll of Jim and the Lakewood Observer.. I have never been a part of Team Summers as I have clearly stated numerous times though they continue to attack.)

Also my take on this…Jay Carson fits into the attacks because of his involvement with the city, but more importantly, because he works for the law firm representing Rick Uldrick. Like I said previously, they are on the attack for all things surrounding Uldrick.

Also, my guess on the attacks against kate e parker…She, like me, does not go along with Jim’s beliefs, and therefore Brian’s beliefs. They are in attack mode taking down whatever and whomever opposes them. kate e parker fits that mold of opposition.

Another take on this…This has spiraled out of control on the Observation Deck due to a lawsuit being brought against Jim O’Bryan and the Lakewood Observer by Rick Uldrick. The more deflection, distraction and defamation they can cause others the less attention will be paid to the lawsuit. In my understanding, Uldrick has been banned from the Observation Deck so he is not able to come online and defend himself though the attacks against him continue. Brian Essi will not put Rick Uldrick name on any of the posts, my guess, due to some lawyer antic CYA. So, Jim, Brian and the Observer have full reign of attacking Ulricks knowing that he cannot get online for a response or to defend himself. Jim is the one who banned him. How convenient for Jim, Brian and the Deck. I wonder if a timeline were to be made, it would all start and line up with the exchanges between Jim and Uldrick.

I am not sure if it a common relationship for a client/attorney to team up like this but it sure seems odd to me. Maybe not the best representation of how an attorney can serve their client.

It appears to me by reading some of the filed complaint that Jim, Brian and the Observer are doing some of the very behavior mentioned in the complaint and lawsuit.

“He who controls the media, controls the message.”

[kate e parker]

summer bombshell? perhaps. but now I see why posters need "safe spaces". it all makes sense now.

rossen, it looks like you might have met your post limit for the day.

[Michael Deneen]

In some cases, folks want to stifle the media in order to stop the message.

This is playing out nationally with the Gawker lawsuit...where an embittered Silicon Valley millionaire funded Hulk Hogan's lawsuit in an to attempt to shut down the outlet.

[Bridget Conant]

That lawsuit should worry every resident of this city. It very clearly meets the definition of what is known as a SLAPP - Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.

Here is information on what that means. Read carefully to see how this aligns with the efforts of this administration to silence critics. That the firm filing the suit is affiliated with Jay Carson, a Build Lakewood member, only reinforces the evidence that this is a calculated attempt to silence the Observer and all participants who criticize the mayor, the city, city council, and the "deal." I suspect the ultimate goal is to silence criticism and keep the Observer tied up so that the "Lakewood Neighborhood News" can suddenly reappear and sling its usual BS about what a great deal we got from the Clinic. The timing, in advance of the election, is telling.

SLAPPs are Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. These damaging suits chill free speech and healthy debate by targeting those who communicate with their government or speak out on issues of public interest.
SLAPPs are used to silence and harass critics by forcing them to spend money to defend these baseless suits. SLAPP filers don’t go to court to seek justice. Rather, SLAPPS are intended to intimidate those who disagree with them or their activities by draining the target’s financial resources.

SLAPPs take the form of a variety of lawsuits. They commonly masquerade as defamation or business interference tort suits.

http://www.anti-slapp.org/slappdash-faqs-about-slapps/

[Corey Rossen]

In some cases, folks want to stifle the media in order to stop the message.

This is playing out nationally with the Gawker lawsuit...where an embittered Silicon Valley millionaire funded Hulk Hogan's lawsuit in an to attempt to shut down the outlet.

Again, I have no ties (not sure how many times you would like me to state this). No attempt to stifle the media here, though it seems to be the media attempting to stifle its audience. You're right, the message is key for media outlets- no matter what message is on your agenda.

To be honest, I thought that the discovery of this lawsuit would have come from Lori Allen, she seems to be pretty good at navigating her way around the internet in matters such as this.

I do think it is good for the community to know what it is dealing with in terms of its media outlets. Just like Google, Cleveland.com or other media outlets.

[Michael Deneen]

No attempt to stifle the media here, t

You may not be trying to stifle the media....but somebody sure is.
Thank you for bringing the lawsuit into the public eye.
JOB is unable to do so because it is pending litigation.
But now the whole city can see what is going on... they will look at the matter and make their own judgements.
This revelation will also bring more attention to City Hall, which is a good thing.

[Corey Rossen]

No attempt to stifle the media here, t

You may not be trying to stifle the media....but somebody sure is.
Thank you for bringing the lawsuit into the public eye.
JOB is unable to do so because it is pending litigation.
But now the whole city can see what is going on... they will look at the matter and make their own judgements.
This revelation will also bring more attention to City Hall, which is a good thing.

Okay.

[Bridget Conant]

The complaint, in its entirety, is online at the court website. Anyone can read it; in fact, many participants on this forum are mentioned, so it would behoove you all to check and see if you are in it -especially if you commented on, or are part of the hospital opposition movement.

As for the attention it will draw, look for many prominent people and city hall types to cower in fear as the lawsuit expresses an intention to subpoena the Lakewood Buzz to reveal the identity of anonymous posters. That will be a hoot!

Finally, I highly doubt this will remain a local issue. It's likely to draw national attention because of the issues of government, free speech, and the contentiousness of the hospital issue - all wrapped up in one tantalizing story. The media loves this sort of stuff.

[Corey Rossen]

The complaint, in its entirety, is online at the court website. Anyone can read it; in fact, many participants on this forum are mentioned, so it would behoove you all to check and see if you are in it -especially if you commented on, or are part of the hospital opposition movement.

As for the attention it will draw, look for many prominent people and city hall types to cower in fear as the lawsuit expresses an intention to subpoena the Lakewood Buzz to reveal the identity of anonymous posters. That will be a hoot!

Finally, I highly doubt this will remain a local issue. It's likely to draw national attention because of the issues of government, free speech, and the contentiousness of the hospital issue - all wrapped up in one tantalizing story. The media loves this sort of stuff.

I found it online, that is why I'm surprised it wasn't brought up here already. It was submitted nearly a month ago.

Maybe I read it differently. It reads to me more like online bullying, harassment, personal defamation and libel than issues concerning the hospital. I think the hospital is in the backseat on this one, maybe even third row backseat.

Some people may choose to make all topics about the hospital, some do not - that is the beauty of personal interpretation.

[Bridget Conant]

Thank goodness you aren't a lawyer or a strategist.

That lawsuit will be the talk of the town!

[Corey Rossen]

Thank goodness you aren't a lawyer or a strategist.

That lawsuit will be the talk of the town!

Many people are thankful for that!

It should be the talk of the town. It involves the outward behavior of the founder of one of Lakewood's largest media outlets, the Lakewood Observer Project, and interactions with members of society within the community it serves. I think that alone makes it newsworthy.

[Bridget Conant]

Thanks for the bump

[Dan Alaimo]

Among other things, this will test the definition of "public figure" in this age of blogs, discussion boards, Facebook and anonymous posts. There are people who are constantly out there in the public eye, but skate on the edges of the legal definition.

[Corey Rossen]

Thanks for the bump

Sitting back this morning watching you bump posts was cracking me up. Now I know you do it on purpose. Good stuff! (and full of post substance, by the way)

I was looking online for good memes to put on here but none were as good as your actual bump itself, they kept me laughing.

Full disclosure - I was a little disappointed in the bump images offered online.

[cmager]

I found it online, that is why I'm surprised it wasn't brought up here already.

I highly doubt that, not in your skill set. Too much substance in such a task.

The exhibits of the lawsuit appear to place Mr. Rossen squarely in the middle of the events and squarely on Team Summers. Mr. Rossen appears to have a team, despite his protestations. The better subject of this thread might be "Rossen Outs Self in SLAPP Lawsuit Against Observer"