Philanthropist Yank Barry prepares to bolster lawsuit against Wikipedia editors, strategically withdraws first complaint

In tactical move, Barry pulls complaint while he prepares to file new more comprehensive civil action
(PR NewsChannel) / July 17, 2014 / VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. 

Global Village Champions FoundationBecause of the scope and breadth of the defamation alleged, attorneys representing philanthropist Yank Barry say they’re preparing a new, more comprehensive complaint against the Wikipedia editors Barry claims conspired to manipulate his Wikipedia page in an effort to destroy his online reputation.

In a surprise but strategic maneuver to avoid a SLAPP motion from the defense that Barry’s attorneys suspected was imminent, on Tuesday Barry abruptly withdrew the civil action he filed against four Wikipedia editors last month in Ventura County.

Under California law, a SLAPP motion would have frozen Barry’s ability to amend his complaint until the outcome of the SLAPP motion is determined.

“We were receiving no cooperation from the defense, we made no secret of the fact we were planning to amend the complaint and we sensed their lawyers were stalling for a reason,” says Philip Dapeer, one of Barry’s attorneys. “Withdrawing the complaint was a tactical move on our part and should not, in any way, be construed as retreat. Mr. Barry intends to assert his viable defamation claims. What the defendants said was defamatory an Mr. Barry has suffered substantial damages.”

The suit filed last month names three Wikipedia editors along with one identified only as “Does 1-50.” The lawsuit says false statements and manipulation of Barry’s Wikipedia page cost the former Louie, Louie lead singer business to the tune of more than $10-million.

Barry and the Global Village Champions Foundation filed the suit.

Global Village was co-founded by Barry and Muhammad Ali and has as its champions boxing greats Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson along with celebrities Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J and Steven Seagal.

“Plaintiffs are informed and believe and thereon allege that the statements published and posted by defendants are defamatory per se because they are viewed as so serious that they naturally cause harm and the existence of injuries are presumed from the fact of publication,” the complaint alleged.

The June lawsuit also says that the Wikipedia editors removed “truthful and verifiable content from the Wikipedia pages pertaining to plaintiffs with the intent and purpose to downplay, minimize, attack or criticize favorable content about the plaintiffs all with the intent and purpose of highlighting and focusing reader attention on the false and defamatory content published and posted by defendants with the aim and purpose, as stated by defendants, ‘of threatening plaintiff Yank Barry’s livelihood because his means of livelihood are extremely suspect.’”

Barry has been featured on CNN and CNN International, and interviewed by written about in the Jerusalem Post, Canada’s Globe and Mail, TIME among others, for his work freeing Syrian refugees in Bulgaria, but at times none of those references were removed from Barry’s Wikipedia page.  

In another twist, a portion of the false information on Barry’s Wikipedia page was sourced to an article that appeared in the National Post. When the newspaper refused to print a retraction and take down the article from its website, Barry filed suit against that Canadian newspaper in British Columbia. In that suit, depositions are set to begin in October with trial anticipated in December.

“I won’t settle with the National Post and won’t drop the legal action against the Wikipedia editors,” says Barry. “The false, misleading and malicious reporting must stop. And I’m willing to spend the money it takes to make sure it does.” 

For more information on Yank Barry please visit: thepublicityagency.com/yank-barry/

MEDIA CONTACT
Glenn Selig
PR firm: The Publicity Agency
Email: 
Phone: 813-708-1220 x7777 | Cell: 813-300-5454

 

Direct link:  https://prnewschannel.com/2014/07/17/philanthropist-yank-barry-prepares-to-bolster-lawsuit-against-wikipedia-editors-strategically-withdraws-first-complaint/

SOURCE:  Global Village Champions Foundation


This press release is distributed by PR NewsChannel. Your News. Everywhere.