HYDE PARK – Dutchess County Legislator Ben Geller (R-Hyde Park) is filing a lawsuit against a group of “X” users for defamation regarding tweets accusing him of criminal sexual misconduct. “X” is the rebranded name for Twitter.
The lawsuit will seek to identify the real names of the defendants, prevent the defendants from making similar posts in the future along with compensatory damages in the amount of $1 million.
“This case will highlight the lack of accountability in the realm of anonymous online communication destroying lives around the country without consequence,” said Geller who also serves as chairman of the Board of Advisors of the New York Young Republicans Club.
The lawsuit alleges that three accounts on the Twitter platform; John Doe #1 – a/k/a Tommy Bolognese, using the handle @RetiredNRelaxed, John Doe #2 – a/k/a Vinny Bacala, using the handle @vinnyBfromNJ, and John Doe #3 – a/k/a Johnny Walnuts, using the handle @JohnnyDalessi all made disparaging remarks about Legislator Geller.
All three of the yet-to-be-identified users posted messages saying Geller sent sexually inappropriate messages to underage boys via social media, accusations that Geller denies, calling them “unequivocally false.”
Geller, a major supporter of former President Donald Trump, uses Twitter on a regular basis through his account at @RealBenGeller. He says the untruthful posts by the defendants are attempts at disparaging his reputation.
In a July Twitter post, John Doe #1, @RetiredNRelaxed, tried to link Geller with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is challenging Trump for the GOP Presidential nomination. “Has anyone heard the rumor about DeSanctis donor Ben Geller @RealBenGeller sending dirty sex messages to underage boys? Nick Fuentes mentioned it on his forum and I see this video when I search on internet. DeSanctis in big trouble if true!”.
Another Tweet, this one by John Doe #2, @vinnyBfromNJ, reiterates the accusations, saying here
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