Gilchrist v. Young [1]

In April 2008, Jim Gilchrist, an immigration enforcement activist and founder of the Minuteman Project [2], filed a lawsuit against Brook Young of Immigration Watchdog [3], Chelene Nightingale of Save Our State [4], Barbara Coe of California Coalition for Immigration Reform [5], Minuteman Project Treasurer Deborah Peterson, and Minuteman Project President Marvin Stewart. The lawsuit claimed that the defendants defamed Gilchrist by publishing statements "to the effect that [Minuteman Project] corporate funds were being misused, embezzled, and that theft and fraud was being committed by [Gilchrist and his colleague Stephen Eichler]." Cmplt. ¶ 12 [6]. It also alleged that the defendants invaded Gilchrist's privacy by publishing his address and a photograph of his driver's license on the Internet. Id. ¶ 25.

The defendants moved to strike the complaint pursuant to California's anti-SLAPP law [7]. The court granted the motion in August 2008, dismissing the case and awarding Barbara Coe more than $9000 in attorneys fees. The other defendants have filed motions seeking attorneys fees as well. These motions are pending.

Update:

11/19/2008 - Judgment entered against Gilchrist awarding [8] Nightengale more than $10,000 in attorneys fees.