Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Tom Dart Defamation Lawsuit
Tom Dart Defamation Lawsuit
2018L010207
THOMAS J. DART, )
)
Plaintiff, )
) No.:
v. )
)
HOWARD DENHAM, NICOLE DENHAM, ) JURY DEMAND
and PAPER SOURCE, INC., )
)
Defendants. )
)
COMPLAINT AT LAW
Count I
(Defamation Per Se – Howard Denham)
NOW COMES the Plaintiff, THOMAS J. DART, by and through his attorneys, WINTERS
SALZETTA O’BRIEN & RICHARDSON, LLC, and complaining of the Defendant, HOWARD
1. On or about October 22, 24 and 29, 2017 and at all times relevant, Plaintiff Thomas
J. Dart was a resident of the County of Cook, State of Illinois and had been married for over fifteen
2. Plaintiff Tom Dart is a licensed attorney who was elected and served as an Illinois
State Senator for two years and an Illinois State Representative for ten years.
3. In 2007, Plaintiff Tom Dart (hereinafter “Sheriff Dart”), having won election, was
4. On or about October 22, 24 and 29, 2017 and at all times relevant, Defendant,
6. On or about October 22, 24 and 29, 2017 and at all times relevant, Defendant
PAPER SOURCE, INC was an Illinois Corporation existing under the laws of the State of Illinois
7. On or about October 22, 24 and 29, 2017 and at all times relevant, Defendant,
PAPER SOURCE, INC., owned, operated, maintained and/or managed facilities in County of
email (hereinafter referred to as “email 1”) to numerous recipients, including several news media
outlets, that contained statements about Sheriff Dart. (See attached Exhibit A).
9. That email 1 states Sheriff Dart committed “double Domestic Battery incidents on
10. That email 1 states “the first incident which was on either October 11th, 2017 or
October 12th, 2017 in which Tom Dart physically attacked his wife at their Mount Greenwood
home leaving visible injuries to her face and person.” (Ex. A).
11. That email 1 states “the second Domestic incident occurred this past Tuesday,
October 17th, 2017 at their Mount Greenwood home again in which multiple Sheriff’s Police and
Chicago Police Officers responded, but just like the first incident, no media attention and hush
email (hereinafter referred to as “email 2”) to numerous recipients that contained statements about
Sheriff Dart.
13. That email 2 references “Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s Domestic Battery
incidents against his wife in which she sustained physical injuries/Black Eye.”
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
14. That email 2 claims that Sheriff Dart was involved in an “extra-marital affair.”
15. That email 2 references “911 calls” and police response to the scene of the
email (hereinafter referred to as “email 3”) to numerous recipients, including several news media
outlets, that contained statements about Sheriff Dart. (See attached Exhibit B).
17. That email 3 states “Tom Dart physically attacked his wife causing visible injuries
to her face which was observed by responding Chicago Police Officers along with responding
18. That email 3 states “there was a police report pertaining to this incident where it
19. That email 3 states that “[…]Patricia Dart informed the Officers that her husband
20. That email 1 states that Sheriff Dart is “involved in this cover up” of the activity
21. That the aforementioned statements contained in email 1, email 2 and email 3 are
false.
22. That Defendant HOWARD DENHAM authored and disseminated the above
statements contained within email 1, email 2 and email 3 knowing the statements were false or
authored with a reckless disregard for their truth or falsity, which constitutes actual malice to the
24. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, HOWARD DENHAM, constitute defamation per se as they indicate that Sheriff
Dart is unable to perform and/or lacks integrity in performing his job duties as Sheriff of Cook
County in that said statements impute the commission of a felony by Sheriff Dart and the
contained within email 1, email 2 and email 3, Sheriff Dart sustained an injury to his reputation.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Thomas J. Dart prays for entry of a money damage judgment in
his favor and against Defendant, HOWARD DENHAM, for an amount in excess of FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) and for such other relief the Court deems necessary and
proper.
Count II
(False Light – Howard Denham)
NOW COMES the Plaintiff, THOMAS J. DART, by and through his attorneys, WINTERS
SALZETTA O’BRIEN & RICHARDSON, LLC, and complaining of the Defendant, HOWARD
Count I of this Complaint at Law as Paragraphs 1 through 22 of this Count II as if fully set forth
herein.
23. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, HOWARD DENHAM, placed Sheriff Dart in a false light before the public in
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
24. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, HOWARD DENHAM, placed Sheriff Dart in a false light before the public in
that they indicate that Sheriff Dart is unable to perform and/or lacks integrity in performing his job
duties as Sheriff of Cook County in that said statements impute the commission of a felony by
Sheriff Dart.
25. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, HOWARD DENHAM, placed Sheriff Dart in a false light before the public in
that they impute actions by Sheriff Dart that are considered highly offensive to a reasonable person.
26. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, HOWARD DENHAM, placed Sheriff Dart in a false light before the public by
alleging that Sheriff Dart physically abuses his wife and conceals criminal activity.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Thomas J. Dart prays for entry of a money damage judgment in
his favor and against Defendant, HOWARD DENHAM, for an amount in excess of FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) and for such other relief the Court deems necessary and
proper.
Count III
(Defamation Per Se – Nicole Denham)
NOW COMES the Plaintiff, THOMAS J. DART, by and through his attorneys, WINTERS
SALZETTA O’BRIEN & RICHARDSON, LLC, and complaining of the Defendant, NICOLE
I of this Complaint at Law as Paragraphs 1 through 7 of this Count III as if fully set forth herein.
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
email (hereinafter referred to as “email 1”) to numerous recipients, including several news media
outlets, that contained statements about Sheriff Dart. (See attached Exhibit A).
9. That email 1 states Sheriff Dart committed “double Domestic Battery incidents on
10. That email 1 states “the first incident which was on either October 11th, 2017 or
October 12th, 2017 in which Tom Dart physically attacked his wife at their Mount Greenwood
home leaving visible injuries to her face and person.” (Ex. A).
11. That email 1 states “the second Domestic incident occurred this past Tuesday,
October 17th, 2017 at their Mount Greenwood home again in which multiple Sheriff’s Police and
Chicago Police Officers responded, but just like the first incident, no media attention and hush
email (hereinafter referred to as “email 2”) to numerous recipients that contained statements about
Sheriff Dart.
13. That email 2 references “Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s Domestic Battery
incidents against his wife in which she sustained physical injuries/Black Eye.”
14. That email 2 claims that Sheriff Dart was involved in an “extra-marital affair.”
15. That email 2 references “911 calls” and police response to the scene of the
email (hereinafter referred to as “email 3”)to numerous recipients, including several news media
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
outlets, that contained statements about Sheriff Dart. (See attached Exhibit B).
17. That email 3 states “Tom Dart physically attacked his wife causing visible injuries
to her face which was observed by responding Chicago Police Officers along with responding
18. That email 3 states “there was a police report pertaining to this incident where it
19. That email 3 states that “[…]Patricia Dart informed the Officers that her husband
20. That email 1 states that Sheriff Dart is “involved in this cover up” of the activity
21. That the aforementioned statements contained in email 1, email 2 and email 3 are
false.
22. That Defendant NICOLE DENHAM authored and disseminated the above
statements contained within email 1, email 2 and email 3 knowing the statements were false or
authored with a reckless disregard for their truth or falsity, which constitutes actual malice to the
23. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, constitute defamation per se as they impute the commission
24. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, constitute defamation per se as they indicate that Sheriff
Dart is unable to perform and/or lacks integrity in performing his job duties as Sheriff of Cook
County in that said statements impute the commission of a felony by Sheriff Dart and the
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
contained within email 1, email 2 and email 3, Sheriff Dart sustained an injury to his reputation.
26. That at all times mentioned herein, Defendant NICOLE DENHAM, was an agent,
27. At all times mentioned herein, Defendant NICOLE DENHAM, acted within the
scope of her employment, representation and/or agency of Defendant PAPER SOURCE, INC.
28. At all times mentioned herein, Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, held the title of
Manager in her employment, representation and/or agency with Defendant, PAPER SOURCE,
INC.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Thomas J. Dart prays for entry of a money damage judgment in
his favor and against Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, for an amount in excess of FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) and for such other relief the Court deems necessary and
proper.
Count IV
(False Light – Nicole Denham)
NOW COMES the Plaintiff, THOMAS J. DART, by and through his attorneys, WINTERS
SALZETTA O’BRIEN & RICHARDSON, LLC, and complaining of the Defendant, NICOLE
Count III of this Complaint at Law as Paragraphs 1 through 22 of this Count IV as if fully set forth
herein.
23. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, placed Sheriff Dart in a false light before the public in that
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
24. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, placed Sheriff Dart in a false light before the public in that
they indicate that Sheriff Dart is unable to perform and/or lacks integrity in performing his job
duties as Sheriff of Cook County in that said statements impute the commission of a felony by
Sheriff Dart.
25. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, placed Sheriff Dart in a false light before the public in that
they impute actions by Sheriff Dart that are considered highly offensive to a reasonable person.
26. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, placed Sheriff Dart in a false light before the public by
alleging that Sheriff Dart physically abuses his wife and conceals criminal activity.
27. That at all times mentioned herein, Defendant NICOLE DENHAM, was an agent,
28. At all times mentioned herein, Defendant NICOLE DENHAM, acted within the
scope of her employment, representation and/or agency of Defendant PAPER SOURCE, INC.
29. At all times mentioned herein, Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, held the title of
Manager in her employment, representation and/or agency with Defendant, PAPER SOURCE,
INC.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Thomas J. Dart prays for entry of a money damage judgment in
his favor and against Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, for an amount in excess of FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) and for such other relief the Court deems necessary and
proper.
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
Count V
(Defamation Per Se – Paper Source, Inc.)
NOW COMES the Plaintiff, THOMAS J. DART, by and through his attorneys, WINTERS
SALZETTA O’BRIEN & RICHARDSON, LLC, and complaining of the Defendant, PAPER
1-7. Plaintiff Thomas J. Dart realleges and incorporates Paragraphs 1 through 7 of Count
I of this Complaint at Law as Paragraphs 1 through 7 of this Count V as if fully set forth herein.
8. That at all times mentioned herein, Defendant NICOLE DENHAM, was an agent,
9. At all times mentioned herein, Defendant NICOLE DENHAM, was acting within
the scope of her employment, representation and/or agency of Defendant PAPER SOURCE, INC.
10. At all times mentioned herein, Defendant, NICOLE DENHAM, held the title of
Manager in her employment, representation and/or agency with Defendant, PAPER SOURCE,
INC.
11. On or about October 22, 2017, Defendant, PAPER SOURCE, INC., by and through
its agent, representative and/or employee, Nicole Denham, disseminated an email (hereinafter
referred to as “email 1”) to numerous recipients, including several news media outlets, that
12. That email 1 states Sheriff Dart committed “double Domestic Battery incidents on
October 12th, 2017 in which Tom Dart physically attacked his wife at their Mount Greenwood
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
home leaving visible injuries to her face and person.” (Ex. A).
14. That email 1 states “the second Domestic incident occurred this past Tuesday,
October 17th, 2017 at their Mount Greenwood home again in which multiple Sheriff’s Police and
Chicago Police Officers responded, but just like the first incident, no media attention and hush
15. On or about October 24, 2017, Defendant PAPER SOURCE, INC., by and through
its agent, representative and/or employee, Nicole Denham, disseminated an email (hereinafter
referred to as “email 2”) to numerous recipients that contained statements about Sheriff Dart.
16. That email 2 references “Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s Domestic Battery
incidents against his wife in which she sustained physical injuries/Black Eye.”
17. That email 2 claims that Sheriff Dart was involved in an “extra-marital affair.” (Ex.
B).
18. That email 2 references “911 calls” and police response to the scene of the
19. On or about October 29, 2017, Defendant, PAPER SOURCE, INC., by and through
its agent, representative and/or employee, Nicole Denham, disseminated an email (hereinafter
referred to as “email 3”) to numerous recipients, including several news media outlets, that
20. That email 1, email 2 and email 3 were disseminated via email from an IP address
to her face which was observed by responding Chicago Police Officers along with responding
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
22. That email 3 states “there was a police report pertaining to this incident where it
23. That email 3 states that “[…]Patricia Dart informed the Officers that her husband
24. That email 1 states that Sheriff Dart is “involved in this cover up” of the activity
25. That the aforementioned statements contained in email 1, email 2 and email 3 are
false.
26. That Defendant, PAPER SOURCE, INC., by and through its agent, representative
and/or employee, Nicole Denham, authored and disseminated the above statements contained
within email 1, email 2 and email 3 knowing the statements were false or authored with a reckless
disregard for their truth or falsity, which constitutes actual malice to the reputation of Sheriff Dart.
27. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, PAPER SOURCE, INC., by and through its agent, representative and/or
employee, Nicole Denham, constitute defamation per se as they impute the commission of a
28. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, PAPER SOURCE, INC., by and through its agent, representative and/or
employee, Nicole Denham, constitute defamation per se as they indicate that Sheriff Dart is unable
to perform and/or lacks integrity in performing his job duties as Sheriff of Cook County in that
said statements impute the commission of a felony by Sheriff Dart and the concealment by Sheriff
statements contained within email 1, email 2 and email 3, Sheriff Dart sustained an injury to his
reputation.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Thomas J. Dart prays for entry of a money damage judgment in
his favor and against Defendant, PAPER SOURCE, INC., for an amount in excess of FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) and for such other relief the Court deems necessary and
proper.
Count VI
(False Light – Paper Source, Inc)
NOW COMES the Plaintiff, THOMAS J. DART, by and through his attorneys, WINTERS
SALZETTA O’BRIEN & RICHARDSON, LLC, and complaining of the Defendant, PAPER
Count V of this Complaint at Law as Paragraphs 1 through 25 of this Count VI as if fully set forth
herein.
26. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, PAPER SOURCE, INC. placed Sheriff Dart in a false light before the public in
27. That the above statements authored and disseminated in email 1, email 2 and email
3 by Defendant, PAPER SOURCE, INC., placed Sheriff Dart in a false light before the public in
that they indicate that Sheriff Dart is unable to perform and/or lacks integrity in performing his job
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
FILED
9/20/2018 1:07 PM
DOROTHY BROWN
CIRCUIT CLERK
COOK COUNTY, IL
2018L010207
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
FILED
9/20/2018 1:07 PM
DOROTHY BROWN
CIRCUIT CLERK
COOK COUNTY, IL
2018L010207
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
FILED
9/20/2018 1:07 PM
DOROTHY BROWN
CIRCUIT CLERK
COOK COUNTY, IL
2018L010207
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207
2018L010207
20th
FILED
9/20/2018 1:07 PM
DOROTHY BROWN
CIRCUIT CLERK
COOK COUNTY, IL
2018L010207
FILED DATE: 9/20/2018 1:07 PM 2018L010207