2nd Amended Complaint - Answer & Counterclaim
2nd Amended Complaint - Answer & Counterclaim
2nd Amended Complaint - Answer & Counterclaim
TREVOR FITZGIBBON, )
)
Plaintiff, )
) Civil Action No. 3:19-cv-477-REP
vs. )
)
)
JESSELYN A. RADACK, )
)
Defendant. )
affirmative defenses, and asserts counterclaims against Plaintiff Trevor Fitzgibbon, as follows:
ANSWER
1. Denied.
2. The Court’s April 26, 2019, Order speaks for itself and is the best evidence of its
contents. Therefore, any and all characterizations of its contents are denied.
3. Denied.
4. Denied.
truth of these allegations and therefore denies the same and demands strict proof.
6. Admitted in part; denied in part. Defendant admits that she is a resident of the
District of Columbia. Defendant denies that she has ties to Virginia or that she has multiple clients
in Virginia for whom she provides substantial ongoing legal services. Defendant denies that she
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consults and provides business advice to multiple persons in Virginia, including members of the
Advisory Board of ExposeFact. Defendant admits that she wrote a self-published book entitled
“The Canary in the Coalmine: Blowing the Whistle in the Case of ‘American Taliban’” which was
later published under the title: “TRAITOR: The Whistleblower and the American Taliban.”
Defendant denies that she has starred in any movies, however, admits that she has participated in
unpaid documentaries and speaking engagements. Defendant denies that she advertises her
belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations and therefore denies the same and demands strict
proof.
7. Denied.
8. Denied.
9. Denied.
10. The April 13, 2018, Complaint speaks for itself and is the best evidence of its
contents. Therefore, any and all characterizations of its contents are denied.
11. Denied.
12. Denied.
13. The Settlement Agreement speaks for itself and is the best evidence of its contents.
Therefore, any and all characterizations of its contents are denied. All of the remaining allegations
are denied.
14. Denied.
15. Denied.
16. Denied.
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17. The Settlement Agreement speaks for itself and is the best evidence of its
contents. Therefore, any and all characterizations of its contents are denied.
18. The Settlement Agreement speaks for itself and is the best evidence of its
contents. Therefore, any and all characterizations of its contents are denied.
19. The Settlement Agreement speaks for itself and is the best evidence of its
contents. Therefore, any and all characterizations of its contents are denied.
20. The Settlement Agreement speaks for itself and is the best evidence of its
contents. Therefore, any and all characterizations of its contents are denied.
21. The Settlement Agreement speaks for itself and is the best evidence of its
contents. Therefore, any and all characterizations of its contents are denied.
22. Admitted.
23. Admitted.
24. Denied.
25. Denied.
26. Denied.
27. Denied.
28. Denied.
29. Denied.
30. Denied.
31. Denied.
32. Denied.
33. Denied.
34. Denied.
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35. Denied.
36. Denied.
37. Denied.
38. Denied.
39. Denied.
40. Denied.
41. Denied.
42. Denied.
43. Denied.
44. Denied.
45. Denied.
46. Denied.
47. Denied.
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
1. The Court lack subject-matter jurisdiction over this action.
4. The Second Amended Complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief may be
granted.
6. The statements made by Defendant that form the basis of Plaintiff’s Second
7. The statements made by Defendant that form the basis of Plaintiff’s Second
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8. Defendant reserves the right to amend this Answer, including, but not limited to,
adding additional affirmative defenses and counterclaims that may be appropriate based upon
additional facts that may be uncovered and learned through litigation and discovery in this action.
Second Amended Complaint be dismissed with prejudice, that judgment be entered in her favor
and against Plaintiff on all claims asserted therein, and that Defendant be awarded her attorney’s
fees and costs herein, and that this Court award such other and further relief as the Court deems
proper.
COUNTERCLAIM
PARTIES
Columbia.
3. Radack disputes that this District has personal or subject matter jurisdiction over
any of the claims raised in Fitzgibbon’s Second Amended Complaint or the instant Counterclaim
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In an abundance of caution, Radack files the instant Counterclaim to preserve her right to assert claims against
Fitzgibbon should the Court decide that jurisdiction does exist within the Eastern District of Virginia.
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4. Radack disputes that venue in this District is proper for the reasons set forth in
5. Radack restates and re-alleges herein all of her answers to Plaintiff’s allegations in the
Second Amended Complaint and all of her Affirmative Defenses asserted above as if set forth fully
herein.
6. On April 13, 2018, Fitzgibbon commenced an action against Radack in the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Case No. 3:18-cv-247-REP) (the “First
Radack Action”). In the First Radack Action, Fitzgibbon alleged causes of action for malicious
prosecution, defamation, insulting words, abuse of process, and conspiracy. Fitzgibbons claim’s
stem from the fact that in 2016 Radack, along with two other women, made police reports against
7. In the past, a dozen or more different women have also accused Fitzgibbon of
sexual misconduct. See “The Disturbing Story of Widespread Sexual Assault Allegations at a
Fitzgibbon Media staffers which “reported over a half dozen incidents of sexual harassment and
at least two involving sexual assault committed by Trevor FitzGibbon against his own employees.”
Id. The article goes on to describe that this was not the first time Fitzgibbon faced accusations of
inappropriate workplace behavior, as he was previously disciplined by his prior employer, Fenton
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5/19/17, 10:30 AM
RIPurgatory, Roger. #TrevorFitzgibbon proudly carrying on your tradition bit.ly/2qBj9gu
twitter.com/NYDailyNews/st…
ongoing sexual misconduct, he has repeatedly singled out Radack as someone attempting to smear
10. Due to a long history of sexual assault allegations lodged against Fitzgibbon, in
ShadowBox was run by Fitzgibbon, along with his co-conspirators Manuel “Defango” Chavez III
and Thomas Schoenberger (“Schoenberger”). ShadowBox has described its mission as follows:
THIS IS WAR
Shadowbox is your army. We solve your problems and expose truth. We unleash a
multifaceted, strategic battle plan through integrated research earned media, legal and
digital chaos.
Where your enemies have lied to paint you as the bad guy, we sow the seeds of doubt and
present the counter-narrative that they are, in fact, the villains, and you have been unjustly
accused. We do this through sophisticated use of internet technology, meme creation,
PR, and cyber-guerrilla tactics that stop the bleeding and begin to sway public opinion
and the media in your favor.
WHAT WE DO
https://trackingmeroz.wordpress.com/tag/thomas-schoenberger/
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11. Fitzgibbon befriended a woman by the name of Beth Bogaerts (“Bogaerts”) to assist
with furthering the mission of ShadowBox. However, ShadowBox was only ever able to recruit
two clients and eventually the company was dissolved. Notwithstanding, Fitzgibbon convinced
Bogaerts that Radack was a mole for the government, that Radack had falsely accused Fitzgibbon
of rape, and recruited her to assist him in his efforts to threaten, harass, and retaliate against Radack
12. Fitzgibbon directed Bogaerts to tweet phrases such as “tick tock” at Radack for the
sole purpose of intimidating and harassing Radack on social media. Fitzgibbon also instructed
Bogaerts to conduct research about Radack to assist him in his efforts to smear and sabotage
Radack.
13. Fitzgibbon and Bogaerts engaged in numerous discussions regarding ways to harass
Radack, which include but are not limited to, the following:
page because he was blocked and then replied, “it seriously makes me wonder
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out to a journalist who had previously done a story on Radack, to write another
15. Bogaerts eventually informed Fitzgibbon that she no longer wanted to be involved
with his campaign against Radack because it became clear that Fitzgibbon’s obsession with
16. On April 9, 2019, the parties entered into a settlement agreement (the “Settlement
a. He would not tweet, retweet, reply, like or otherwise post anything on Twitter,
Facebook, YouTube or any other social media platform, or any other print or
media outlet, that mentions Radack or that is of or concerning Radack;
b. He would not direct, request, encourage, entire, procure or otherwise cause any
third party, including but not limited to any friends, colleagues, or clients of the
other to tweet, retweet, reply, like or otherwise post anything on Twitter,
Facebook, YouTube, any other social media platform, or any print or media
outlet, that mentions Radack or that is of and concerning Radack.;
Paragraphs 4(a)-(c)
17. Not surprisingly, and in clear violation of the Settlement Agreement, Fitzgibbon
has continued in his crusade to retaliate against, tarnish, defame, embarrass, and humiliate Radack
through posting, and directing others to post on social media and other media outlets, statements
his long-time friend and journalist, Lara Logan, to post the following false and
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his ability to provide for his family. As a victim of gang-rape and sodomy, I say
firmly that I stand by every victim of rape and sexual assault—the ones who do
not lie.”
Lara Logan, to post the following false and defamatory information on Twitter
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his close friend Michael J Daugherty, to post the following on Twitter which
is of or concerning Radack:
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d. On June 13, 2018, while the First Radack Action was pending, Fitzgibbon
appeared on the show Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson which has a
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numerous false and defamatory statements including that all sexual conduct
between himself and Radack was 100% consensual, statements implying that
Radack sent him text messages on December 8th after she was raped which
indicate that she was “happy,” and statements implying that Radack’s allegedly
false sexual assault claims have caused him to be vilified and lose his home and
business. 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL8U3G8pKiQ;https://www.prnewswire.
com/news-releases/ratings-for-full-measure-with-sharyl-attkisson-grow-by-
76-regularly-beating-cable-news-programs-on-sunday-mornings-
300390182.html
n After the settlement of the First Radack Action occurred, Fitzgibbon provided
published in the following article on June 29, 2019. The article falsely implies
assault. https://sharylattkisson.com/2019/06/smearing-wikileaks/
e. Upon information and belief, on July 11, 2019 and December 30, 2019,
Manuel “Defango” Chavez III to post the following false and defamatory
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Fitzgibbon also provided to Full Measure semi-clothed pictures of Radack, as well as pictures of Radack wearing
lingerie, which were featured on the show. Fitzgibbon’s continuous and blatant attempts to disseminate these pictures
to the public serve no other purpose but to harass, intimidate, and humiliate Radack for reporting to the police that she
was sexually assaulted by Fitzgibbon.
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concerning Radack:
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h. While the First Radack Action was pending, Fitzgibbon created a Wikipedia
entry for himself discussing the pending lawsuit. After the First Radack Action
https://en.everybodywiki.com/Trevor_Scott_FitzGibbon
John Kiriakou, and current client Edward Snowden, in the following post:
of Radack’s former clients, Bill Binney and John Kiriakou, and her close
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k. Upon information and belief, Fitzgibbon authored and prompted his media
contacts to publish the following article which is false and defamatory and of
18. The Settlement Agreement entered into between Radack and Fitzgibbon, contains
The Parties acknowledge and agree that a material breach of the provisions of this
paragraph 4 would result in significant damage to the non-breaching Party. The
Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the amount of damages in the event of
a material breach of the provisions of this paragraph 4 would be difficult or
impossible to determine and that the amount $1,000 for each tweet, retweet, reply,
like, post or comment that violates paragraphs 4(a), 4(b)[sic] or 4(c) is the best and
most accurate estimate of the damages the non-breaching Party would suffer in the
event of a material breach of this paragraph 4, that such estimate is reasonable under
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the circumstances existing as of the date of this Agreement and under the
circumstances that the Parties reasonably anticipate would exist at the time of such
breach and that the breaching Party agrees to pay the non-breaching Party that
amount as liquidated damages, and not as a penalty, if the non-breaching Party
asserts, and a court of competent jurisdiction confirms, such a material breach. The
burden of proof in any action alleging a breach of this paragraph 4 shall be proof
by clear and convincing evidence.
Paragraph, ¶ 4(e).
Radack has suffered and is entitled to liquidated damages in an amount to be proven at trial, plus
20. Radack restates and re-alleges herein all of her answers to Plaintiff’s allegations in
the Second Amended Complaint, all of her Affirmative Defenses, and the allegations in the
21. It is Radack’s position that the liquidated damages provided for in the Settlement
Agreement are the sole, and exclusive, remedy for breaches described in Paragraphs 4(a)-(c) of
the Settlement Agreement, therefore damages should be capped at $1,000 per violation. However,
should the Court find that this is not the exclusive remedy, Radack pleads the instant Defamation
claim.
22. By his conduct as alleged above, Fitzgibbon has, without a privilege to do so,
maliciously published and communicated to third parties false and defamatory material of or
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If the liquidated damages provision in the Settlement Agreement is determined to be unenforceable for any reason,
or if it is determined that the liquidated damages clause does not limit the amount of damages a party can be awarded
for breach of the Settlement Agreement, then Radack seeks any and all actual and consequential damages she has
suffered in an amount to be determined at trial.
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concerning Radack that ridicules Radack, treats Radack with contempt, and which attempts to
discredit Radack in the minds of her family, friends, colleagues, clients, and associates.
23. Fitzgibbon’s defamatory statements and, upon information and belief those
Fitzgibbon directed others to make on his behalf, taken as a whole, are defamatory per se.
Fitzgibbon knew or should have known that these false and defamatory statements would be
republished over and over by third-parties to Radack’s detriment and injury. Republication was
the natural and probable consequence of Fitzgibbon’s actions and was actually and/or
presumptively authorized by Fitzgibbon. Fitzgibbon is liable for the republication of the false and
24. Fitzgibbon’s false statements, and those he directed to be made, impute to Radack
the commission of felonies and crimes involving moral turpitude. Fitzgibbon’s false and
defamatory statements also impute to Radack an unfitness to perform the duties of an office or
employment for profit, or the want of integrity in the discharge of the duties of such office or
employment.
25. Fitzgibbon made the false statements, or directed the false statements to be made,
with actual or constructive knowledge that they were false or with reckless disregard for whether
they were false. Fitzgibbon acted with actual malice and reckless disregard for the truth.
Fitzgibbon lacked reasonable ground for any belief in the truth of his statements.
26. Fitzgibbon’s acts of defamation have caused Radack to suffer irreparable harm and
damages in an amount to be proven at trial. Due to the wanton, willful, and malicious nature of
proven at trial.
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27. Radack restates and re-alleges herein all of her answers to Plaintiff’s allegations in
the Second Amended Complaint, all of her Affirmative Defenses, and the allegations in the
28. It is Radack’s position that the liquidated damages provided in the Settlement
Agreement is the sole, and exclusive, remedy for breaches of the Settlement Agreement described
in Paragraphs 4(a)-(c) of the Settlement Agreement, therefore damages should be capped at $1,000
per violation. However, should the Court find that this is not the exclusive remedy, Radack pleads
29. Radack relied upon Fitzgibbon’s representations that he would discontinue his
crusade to retaliate against, tarnish, defame, embarrass, and humiliate Radack through posting, and
directing others to post on social media and other media outlets, statements of or concerning
Radack. In reliance upon Fitzgibbon’s agreement to “bury the hatchet” Radack dismissed her
Counterclaim in the First Radack Action, dismissed her pending bankruptcy case, and settled all
claims with Fitzgibbon. Radack was induced by Fitzgibbon’s misrepresentations and deceit to
30. Fitzgibbon’s representations were false at the time they were made. His actions,
and those of his confederates, which occurred promptly after the Settlement Agreement was
entered into, demonstrate that he had no present intention to comply with the terms of the
Settlement Agreement. At the time Fitzgibbon entered into the Settlement Agreement, it is clear
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compensatory damages, including, without limitation, loss of viable claims, attorney’s fees, court
that this Court enter judgment in her favor, and against the Plaintiff/Counterclaim Defendant
damages, punitive damages, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, attorney’s fees, costs, and
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on January 7, 2020, a copy of the foregoing document was filed with
the Court electronically. Notice of this filing will be sent automatically by the Court’s CM/ECF
Steven S. Biss
300 West Main Street, Suite 102
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Counsel for Plaintiff
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