Rakofsky v. Internet Amended
Rakofsky v. Internet Amended
X
JOSEPH RAKOFSKY, and
RAKOFSKY LAW FIRM, P.C.,
L
Plaintiffs,
AMENDEI)
COMPLAINT ANI)
DEMAND FOR
JURY TRIAL
Civil Action
I
BENNETT AND BENNETT
MARK BENNETT, individually
SEDDIQ LAW
MIRRIAM SEDDIQ, indivídually
THE MARTTIA SPERRY DAILY
ADVANTAGE ADVOCATES
MARTIIA SPERRY, individually
ALLBRITTON COMMUMCATIONS COMPANY
TBD.COM
RESTORINGDIGNITYTOTIIELAW.BLOGSPOT. COM
"[email protected]"
ADRIANK. BEAN
IIESLEP &ASSOCIATES
KOEHLER LAW
JAMISON KOEHLER, individually
TTIE TURKEW'IÎZ LAW FIRM
ERIC TURKEWITZ, indivíduaþ
THE BEASLEY FIRM,LLC
MAXWELL S. KENNERLY
STEINBERG MORTON HOPE & ISRAEL, LLP
ANTONIN I. PRIBETIC
PALMIERILAW
LORI D. PALMIERI, individually
F
TANNEBAIJM WEISS, PL
BRIAN TANNEBAUM, individually
lhì: \MALLACE, BROWN & SCHWARTZ
GEORGE M. WALLACB, individtnlly
DAVID C. WBLLS, P.C. and
DAVID C. WELLS, individually
ROB MCKINNEY, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
ROB MCKINNEY, indivídually
THOMSON REUTERS
DAN SLATER
BANNED VENTURES, LLC
BANNINATION.COM
..TARRANT84"
I.]NTVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS SCHOOL OF LAW
DEBORAI{ K. HACKERSON
LAW OFFICES OF MCTIAEL T. DOUDNA
MICI{AEL T. DOUDNA, indívidually
MACE J. YAMPOLSKY & ASSOCIATES
MACE J. YAMPOLSKY, individually
TIIE LAW OFFICE OF JEANNE O'HALLERAN,LLC
JEANNE O'HALLERAN, índívidually
REITER & SCHILLER, P.A.
LEAH K. WEAVER
2
AWO CORPORATION
JOSHUA KING
ACCELA,INC.
COLIN SAMUELS
TI{E BURNEY LAW FIRM, LLC and
NATIIANIEL BURNEY, individually
Defendants.
X
The plaintiffs above named, complaining of the defendant, by their attorney,
"RAKOf,'SI(Y") was, at all relevant times, and is a resident of the County of New York,
"RLX"') was, at all relevant times, and is a corporation having its principal place of
WASHINGTON POST.
J
6. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant CREATIVE
PAPER.
company having its principal place of business in the State of New York.
11. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant ELIE
12. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant AMERICAN
trade association having its principal place of business in the State of Illinois.
4
13. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant
L4. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant DEBRA
15. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant SARAH
17. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant CAROLYN
agent of SHINGLE.
18. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant KRAVET &
partnership having its principal place of business in the State ofNew York.
19. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant SIMPLE
ruSTICE NY, LLC (hereinafter refened to as "SIMPLE") was and is a limited liabilþ
5
20. Upon information and belie[ at all relevant times, defendant
21. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant SCOTT H.
22. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant LAW
23. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant ERIC L.
of I\{AYER LAW.
24. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant GAMSO,
25. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant JEFF
of GHH.
6
unincorporated association owned or controlled by JOHN DOE #1, the principal place of
27. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant JOHN DOE
#1 (hereinafter referred to as "JOHN DOE #1') was and is an owner, employee or agent
ofC & F.
28. Upon infonnation and beliet at all relevant times, defendant ORLANDO-
(hereinafter referred to as "JOIIN DOE #2') was and is an owner, employee or agent of
..ACCIDENT LAWYER."
30. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant LAW
31. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant FARAJI A.
32. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant BENNETT
7
33. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant MARK
34. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant SEDDIQ
LAW (hereinafter referred to as "SED LA\il") was and is a sole proprietorship owned or
controlled by MIRRIAM SEDDIQ having its principal place of business in the State of
Virginia.
35. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant MIRRIAM
LA}V.
36. Upon infomration and belief, at all relevant times, defendant TIIE
38. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant MARTTIA
8
"ALLBRITTON") was and is a cotporation doing business as "TBD.COM" having.its
40. Upon infonnation and beliel at all relevant times, defendant TBD.COM
Virginia.
unknown.
43. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant IIESLEP &
Columbia.
44. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant ADRIAN K.
or agent ofHT'.SLEP.
45. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant KOEHLER
9
unincorporated association or sole proprietorship having its principal place of business in
46. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant JAMISON
47. Upon information and belief; at all relevant times, defendant TIIE
48. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant ERIC
49. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant TTIE
50. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant MAXWELL
51. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant STEINBERG
10
52. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant ANTONIN I.
STEINBERG MORTON.
53. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant PALMIERI
54. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant LORI D.
56. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant BRIAN L.
57. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant WALLACE,
58. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant GEORGE
11
M. WALLACE (hereinafter referred to as "WALLACE') was and is the owner, partner
59. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant DAVID C.
60. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant DAVID C.
WELLS ftereinafter refened to as "\{ELLS") was and is the owner or other person
61. Upon information and belie[ at all relevant times, defendant ROB
62. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant ROB
63. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant THOMSON
corporation having its principal place of business in the State ofNew York.
SLATER (hereinafter referred to as "SLATER') was and is the owner, partner or other
12
65. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant BANNED
TIIO[,IAS") was and is a corporation having its principal place of business in the State
of Minnesota.
70. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant LAW
DOTIDNA LÄW") was and is a corporation having its principal place of business in the
State of California.
71. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times mentioned herein,
the owner, partner or other person having control of MICIIAEL T. DOIIDNA LAW.
l3
72. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant MACE J.
State ofNevada.
73. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times mentioned herein,
and is the owner, parbrer or other person having control of YAMPOLSKY &
ASSOCIATES.
74. Upon information and beliefl at all relevant times, defendant THE LAW
LA'W") was and is a corporation having its principal place of business in the State of
Georgia.
75. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant JEANNE
76. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant REITER &
77. Upon inforuration and belief, at all relevant times, defendant LEAH K.
t4
78. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant AWO
79. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant JOSHUA
AWO.
80. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant ACCELA
81. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant COLIN
parhrer of ACCELA.
82. Upon information and belief, at all relevant times, defendant TIIE
BURNEY LAW FIRM, LLC (hereinafter referred to as "BURNEY LAW') was and is a
limited liabilþ company having its principal place of business in the State ofNew York.
83. Upon information and beliet at all relevant times, defendant JEANNE
hereof with the same force and effect as though set forth at length herein.
t5
85. RAKOFSI(Y is a 2009 graduate of Touro Law Center having been
of New Jersey by the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey and is a member of the
87. RAKOFSKY is engaged in the practice of law under the name, title and
style of RLF, a professional service corporation validly organized and duly existing
under the Prgfessional Service Corporation Act of the Søte of New Jersey, of which
88. On or about May 3, 2010, RAKOFSI(Y and RLF were approached and
"ttre clienf' or "the defendant"), who had been indicted by a grand jury of the District of
Columbia and was then awaiting trial, to represent the client in the proceedings in the
Superior Court of the District of Columbia on the charges against him, which included
First Degree Felony Murder While Armed, the felony on which said charge was based
89. [r or about late May 2010, RAKOFSKY met with the client in the
Distict of Columbia and RAKOFSI(Y and RLF were retained by the client in said
proceedings, the client having been made aware, prior to retaining RAKOFSKY and
RLF, that RÄKOFSKY had not tried any case, which representation RAKOFSI(Y and
RLF accepted.
16
90. Pursuant to and in the course of their representation of the client,
RAKOFSI(Y and RLF engaged BEA¡[, through HESLEP, as an investigator who was
during the period following the acceptance by RAKOFSKY and RLF of the
representation of the client and obtained from him information necessary and useful to
defend against charges leveled against him and reviewed matters of record with respect to
those charges.
92. The proceedings against the client were assigned to the Honorable Lynn
Leibovitz, a Judge of the Superior Court of the Distict of Columbia (hereinafter referred
to as "Judge Leibovitz').
93. Because RAKOFSI(Y was not licensed to practice law in the District of
Columbia RAKOFSI(Y was required to seek admission from Judge Leibovitz pro hac
vice, that is, for the sole purpose of allowing him to appeil for the client in proceedings
in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia against the client. For that reason and
because the trial of the client was to be the first criminal trial in which RAKOFSI(Y
would be lead counsel, RAKOFSI(Y associated himself with Sherlock Grigsby, Esq.
(herein after referred to as "Grigsby''), of The Grigsby Firm, who was admitted to
practice in the District of Columbia and who had substantial experience representing
RAKOFSICY (and not Grigsby) researched and drafted every single document involved
in the unusually extensive amount of litigation related to the client's prosecution, located
and convinced medical experts, ballistic experts, surveillance video experts, security
t7
Governmen! instead of money to be paid by RAKOFSKY or RLF) as payment for their
respective services on behalf of the client and continuously met with a multitude of
relating to legal tactics because Grigsby was usually unable to answer them.
the charges against the client that information had been received by Assistant United
States Attorney Vinet S. Bryant (hereinafter referred to as the "AUSA'), to whom the
representation of the Government in the prosecution of the charges against the client had
been assigned, from four confidential informants ("C.L's") whose identities were not
disclosed to the client or to RAKOFSI(Y or RLF. Access to the C.I.'s was denied by the
AUSA and as a result, RAKOFSKY and RLF sought an order from Judge Leiboviø
access to two of the C.I.'s, whom he then interviewed. As a result of the intêrviews,
RAKOFSI(Y na¡rowed down the remaining potential C.L's to C.I. #2, whose identþ
was not disclosed to him prior to the trial of the *d who he, therefore, believed
"ur"
would be an important wiûress for the Government.
96. In addition to interviewing two ofthe C.I.'s identified to him and access to
whom was given to him by the AUSA, RAKOFSKY made numerous written motions to
obtain disclosure of exhibits and videos made of the crime scene by the District of
Columbia Police.
97. The individual who had committed the murder that resulted in the Felony
Murder charge against the client, one Javon Walden, had been allowed by the
Government to plead guilty to second deg¡ee murder, a lesser charge than the Felony
18
Murder Charge of Murder in the first degree with which the client was charged. Javon
Walden had been allowed by the AUSA to plead guilty to a reduced charge of second
degree murder, rather than the original charge of fnst degree murder, and in return, Javon
Walden claimed in his allocution that the shooting of the victim, Frank Elliot (hereinafter
Javon Walden dutifully made the required statement upon pleading guilty to the reduced
charge of Murder in the 2"d Degree. However, on at least four prior occasions, Javon
Walden had testified as a matter of record that no one attempted to rob Elliot.
98. As a result of his study of the documents related to the homicide of Elliot,
RAKOFSI(Y believed that Elliot had been present at the time and place of the homicide
for an unlawful purpose, to commit a robbery of the client and/or others with whom the
client had been engaged in gambling at a blook party in progress at or nea¡ the crime
scene, the cash used in such gambting being substantial in amount. In addition,
RAKOFSKY believed that Elliot had been the aggressor in the incidents leading to his
known as '?CP," which causes users to become unusually aggressive. In order to adduce
proof that Elliot was on PCP and thereby create reasonable doubt in the minds ofjurors
that Elliot had been robbed, RAKOFSKY and RLF engaged an expert witness, William
Manion, M.D., who was prepared and qualified to testifr at the trial of the client to the
effects of the ingestion of PCP upon Elliot, whose recent use of PCP was revealed by the
99. Approximately one week before the scheduled trial date, the case was
19
100. On March 28,20ll,the day before jury selection would begin, the AUSA,
anticipating RAKOFSKY's intended use of the Toxicology Report showing that Elliot
was high on PCP at the time of his death, moved the Court to suppress, and thereby
conceal from the jury, the reference to Elliot's having recently ingested PCP, a drug
which causes its users to behave in a very violent and aggressive manner, even though it
had been stated in the Toxicology Report attached to the Medical Examiner's report
nearly 3 years earlier. The AUSA waited until literally the eve of trial to make her
motion, demonstrating the extent to which the Government was prepared to go in pursuit
win. Nevertheless, Judge Jackson granted the AUSA's motion and ruled that the
defendant could not inüoduce evidence that Elliot was under the effects of PCP and
denied to RAKOFSI(Y the right to make any mention of PCP or Phencyclidine at the
tial, thereby denying to RAKOFSKY the abilþ to adduce proof that no attempted
'Walden's
robbery had occurred and instead that Elliot's death \üas a result of Javon
retaliation. At the same time, Judge Jackson denied several written motions filed by
RAKOFSI(Y seeking to offer (a) testimony on the effect of PCP on the actions of Elliot
(b) evidence of Elliot's commission of domestic violence against his wife (which, like the
ingestion of PCP, also reflects Elliot's tendency to behave in an aggressive manner) and
(c) evidence of events that caused Elliot to need funds immediately prior to the homicide,
which RAKOFSI(Y planned and intended to present to the jury on the defense's case.
Judge Jackson ruled that he would not permit the defense to offer testimony or make any
statements to the jury (which had not yet been empanelled) concerning Elliot's use of
PCP, Elliot's commission of domestic violence against his wife and of events that caused
Elliot to need funds immediately prior to the homicide. With respect to the AUSA's
20
motion to suppress evidence of PCP, in general, Judge Jackson based his ruling, first
articulated on the eve of trial as a result of the AUSA's motion to suppress evidence of
PCP (that is, a view that neither he nor Judge Leibovitz ever expressed prior to the
AUSA's motion to suppress evidence of PCP) upon his newly-adopted view that Dr.
Manion was not qualified to offer an expert opinion on the effects ofthe ingestion of PCP
by Elliot. In addition to his repeated references to all of the degrees Dr. Manion held in
addition to the degree of Doctor of Medicine, Judge Jackson attempted to denigrate Dr.
Manion" (emphasis added). The only specific r€ason for this ruling given on the record
by Judge Jackson was the fact tha! in addition to holding the degree of Doctor of
Medicine, Dr. Manion holds two other degrees, Doctor of Law and Master of Business
RAKOFSI(Y: Your Honor, very respectfully, is there any set of facts that
we could offer that would justit the mentioning of PCP in
the opening?
2t
in 1982 and '86. The most recent -
residency training back
he has a law degree and a masters in business
adminisftation, 2001...
Judge Jackson: We're not here talking about medicine. We're here talking
about the effects of PCP...
Judge Jackson did not elucidate in his ruling the reason the possession of two degrees in
addition to that of Doctor of Medicine disqualified Dr. Manion from being qualified to
offer an opinion on the effects of PCP, nor did he otherwise speciff a reason for his
ruling.
photograph depicting Elliot's face after his eyes lvere opened by a Government agent
who may have also photographed Elliot's body. Out of approximately 20 photographs the
Government sought to offer into evidence, the only photograph that Judge Jackson
L02. Following the seating of a jury of 14 persons, the AUSA made her
repeatedly by Judge Jackson, in each or nearly each instance without any audible
objection by the AUSA. Al one point in his opening statement, without ever mentioning
had been submitted as part of the Government's Medical Examiner's report, which
22
that he (Judge Jackson) considered that to be a reference to PCP. (Judge Jackson
erroneously stated in the sidebar conference with RAKOFSI(Y that, in ruling on March
28,2011, that RAKOFSKY should not refer to PCP in his opening statement, he had
similarly so ruled that RAKOFSKY should not refer to the toxicology report in his
that he referred only to references of PCP and not to references to the toxicology report.)
Judge Jackson reproached RAKOFSI(Y for being repetitive, although his need to repeat
statements he may have said previously was caused by Judge Jackson's frequent
reference to the toxicology report Judge Jackson acknowledged in open court outside the
presence of the jury, following the conclusion of RAKOFSICY's opening statement that
his presentation of the opening statement was "skillf,il" on the part of RAKOFSI(Y.
Further, Judge Jaokson stated to RAKOFSKY: "And I think you, quite honestly, tried to
adhere to the Court's ruling. You slipped a couple of times, but you've been trying to
the defendant to the bench and conducted an ex parte sidebar conversation with the
occasion on the following day, Judge Jackson repeated the question to the client. On each
23
105. Follslvi¡g the completion of opening statements, the AUSA commenced
the presentation of witnesses for the Government. The initial witnesses offered by the
AUSA established the chain of custody of evidence and the results of the autopsy
performed by the Medical Examiner, who testified that Elliot had been killed by a single
bullet, which entered his body through his back. Such testimony was unexceptional and
106. Despite the fact that Judge Jackson had agreed to exclude only one
nevertheless allowed the Government to offer into evidence, not merely a photograph of
the blood-soaked shirt, but the actual shirt itself, which the AUSA displayed to the jury.
was identified as C.I. #2, the only confidential informant not previously disclosed by the
strongly that Rodriguez, who claimed to have wiûressed the homicide of Elliot by Javon
Walden, did not actually witness the homicide, as he testified that Elliot had been shot in
the chest, confiary to the expert testimony of the Medical Examiner, who had preceded
him as a witness, albeit out of Rodriguez's hearing, that Elliot had been shot in the back
RAKOFSI(Y, on a few occasions, notes he had made on a pad that concerned questions
the client felt RAKOFSI(Y should ask of Rodriguez, which RAKOFSI(Y, as the
client's counsel, believed were dehiment¿l to the client's defense and interests. Thus,
24
RAKOFSKY was faced with the decision whether to ask the client's questions and
thereby continue representing the client or to refl¡se to ask his client's questions and seek
109. RAKOFSKY determined that the conflict vvith the client on the issue of
whether to ask the questions that the client had posed to him required him to seek to
withdraw as lead counsel for the client. In arriving at the decision to make such an
application, which RAKOF'SKY believed would inevitably result in a mishial that would
permit the Government to reûry his client, RÄKOFSI(Y took into consideration the fact
that, as a result of the blatant "alliance" between Judge Jackson and the AUSA that
resulted in virtually all of Judge Jackson's rulings being in favor of the Government,
RÄKOFSKY's defense of his client had been gutted and had virtually no chance of
success. However, should the Government determine to retry the defendant following a
misfrial, the attorney who would then be lead counsel for the defendant would likely have
a greater possibilþ of success in defending the defendant using the preparation of the
defense of the defendant and the disclosure of the prosecution secrets, including the
identities of the 4 C.I.'s, the grand jury transcript of C.I. #2 (Gilberto Rodriguez), the in-
court testimony of Gilberto Rodriguez, the grand jury tanscripts of the testimony of the
lead detective, etc. as a result of RAKOFSKY's efforts on behalf of the defendant and
the defense strategy laid out by RAKOFSI(Y (but not yet revealed in open court) and
would be able to secure the services of a medical expert wiüress whose qualifications
would be acceptable to such Judge as might be assigned to the retrial of the client,
assuming the Government were to decide that, taking into consideration the proceedings
that had already transpired in the case and the availability to RAKOFSKY's successor as
lead counsel for the client of RAKOFSI(Y's defense strateg¡ should the client be
25
subjected to retrial. Therefore, RAKOFSKY determined to seek to withdraw as lead
111. During the Court's recess, RAKOFSKY and his co-counsel met with the
client.
LL2. Following the resumption of trial, but out of the presence of the jury,
RAKOFSI(Y moved orally to Judge Jackson for leave to withdraw from the
representation of the client, onthe grounds thatthe client's insistence on asking certain
questions the client proposed caused a conflict between RAKOFSI(Y and the client.
RAKOFSI(Y: I feel I'm doing the very best job for him but
if it's going to
require my asking his question, I carmot do that....And I'm askine
Your Honor...I just don't think this can be reconciled (emphasis
added).
counsel.
Judge Jackson: Well, I've asked him twice whether he was satisfied. The issue of
- he needs to understand that certain questions, you know - that
have to be - what do you mean by bad questions?
RAKOFSI(Y: Questions that I think are going to ruin him and I cannot have that.
Judge Jackson: If you need time to talk to him and to explain it to him, because
sometimes it's very hard in the middle of examination to explain to
him why it's a bad question, and if you want time to talk to him
about that, you can go into the back and talk to him.
Judge Jackson: We're in the middle of trial, jeopardy is attached. I can't sit here
26
and excuse you from this trial.
However, RAKOFSKY persisted and was able to convince Judge Jackson to agree to
voire dire the client. Judge Jackson, for a third time, summoned the client to the bench
and inquired of the client whether he was in agreement with RAKOFSI(Y's application
result in a mistrial, which would not prevent the Government from retrying the client.
When asked by Judge Jackson, the client signified his agreement with RAKOX'SKY's
withdrawal.
Judge Jackson: [Tlhere appears to be a conflict that has arisen between counsel
and the defendant...[T]his is ry! an issue of manifest necessity
(emphasis added)...
113. Although Judge Jackson might have thought to appoint as lead counsel,
Sherlock Grigsb¡ who was already co-counsel, he did not even inquire of the defendant
whether that was acceptable to the defendant, whether because RAKOFSICY, speaking
in the interest of his clien! had intimated to Judge Jackson in his application for
withdrawal, that the client did not have a good relationship with Grigsby, or whether
RAKOFSI(Y's motion to withdraw until the following day, April 1,2017, on which no
115. Aside from the attorney-client conflict on which RAKOFSKY based his
application to Judge Jackson, RAKOFSI(Y believed that his withdrawal as lead counsel
would not be prejudicial to the interest of RAKOFSKY 's client, but rather would further
27
the interests of the client even though, as Judge Jackson pointed out to the client before
would result in the entry of a mistial that would not preclude the Government from
retrying the client, in that, on any retrial, whether it were to occur before Judge Jackson
or before another Judge of the Cour! the attorney then representing the client would be
able to avail himself of the entire defense stategy that RÄKOFSI(Y and RLF' had
116. On the following day, April l, 2011, Judge Jackson announced in open
couf that RAKOFSKY had "asked to withdraw midtriaf' as lead counsel, due to a
conflict that existed between him and his client and Judge Jackson granted the motion to
withdraw. Judge Jackson acknowledged and stated on the record repeatedly that
Iudge Jackson: "Let me say that this arose in the context of counsel, Mr.
Rakofsþ, approaching the bench and indicating that there
Ìvas a conflict that had arisen between he [sic] and M¡.
Deaner. NIr. Deaner, when I acquired [src] of him,
indicated that there was, indeed a conflict between he [slc]
and Mr. Rakofsþ. Mr. Rakofsþ actually asked to
withdraw mid-trial. . ."
Further, Judge Jackson acknowledged, on the record, that he had personally inquired of
RAKOFSI(Y's client (outside the presence of RAKOX'SKY) whether there was, in fact,
a conflict between RAKOFSKY and his client and that the client agreed that there was
ll7. Aftèr stating that RAKOFSKY's motion for withdrawal as lead counsel
28
for the defendant was precipitated by a conflict with the defendant which the defendant
confirmed, Judge Jackson next uttered several statements in open court that slandered
RAKOFSI(Y because they were plainly inelevant to the trial and RAKOFSKY's
motion to withdraw as lead counsel, which RAKOFSI(Y had made on March 3l,20ll
and which Judge Jackson then stated he was inclined to grant. Only two days prior, on
Wednesday, March 30, 2011, Judge Jackson stated to RÄKOFSI(Y: "[E]very attorney
makes mistakes during the course of the trial. Every attorney does. It just happens. That's
the nattre of trials. Judges make mistakes during the courses of trials. That's the nature of
trials..." To the extent that Judge Jackson may have been upset by RÄKOFSI(Y's
presentation of his client's case, as opposed to the benefits that likely would accrue to the
likelihood of a mishial) and the appointment of new lead counsel with access to
RAKOFSI(Y's work and defense sfategy, his anger may have been prompted by the
diligence and zeal with which RAKOFSKY conducted his defense in the interest of the
counsel, Grigsb¡ never sought to "conect" RAKOFSI(Y during the trial; at no time
during the trial was there ever a single disagreement between RÄKOFSI(Y and Grigsby.
118. Notwithstanding the foregoing facts, Judge Jackson, likely being aware
called newspaper "reporter" from the WASHINGTON POST, and knowing full well
that both news reporters and others would publish his slanderous and defamatory words,
Judge Jackson, for reasons that can only be speculated, gratuitously published on the
29
record the slanderous, defamatory statement that, having acknowledged that
RAKOFSI(Y's motion for wittrdrawal as lead counsel for the defendant was caused by a
conflict with the defendant which the defendant confirmed, that he lvas "astonished' at
(RAI(OFSI(Y's) "not having a good grasp of legal procedures." This statement vras,
neither germane nor relevant to any issue before the Court -- in fact, there were no further
proceedings in the defendant's case; nor would it have been germane or relevant had it
been made before Judge Jackson admitted the basis for granting RAKOFSI(Y's motion
counsel, Judge Jackson referred to a "motion" that had been submitted (but not formally
filed) that very day by BEAì[, one of the "investigators" hired by RAKOFSI(Y to assist
him with the case, whom RAKOFSI(Y had previously discharged for incompetence.
of compensation made available by the Criminal Justice Act which provides funds issued
by the Government and E! money from RAKOFSI(Y. However, not only did BEAN
fail to complete any of the 4 tasks assigned to him by RAKOFSI(Y, he never evenbegan
to do any work assigned to him whatsoever. Instead, BEAI\ sought to exploit for the
purpose of receiving compensation that was not due him, an email, which had been
hastily typed by RAKOFSI(Y on a mobile device, that used an unfortunate choice of the
word "hicK' -- which, as BEAII knew only too well, was a shorthand word that meant
only that Bean should underplay the fact that he worked for the defense-- which
30
that he was employed by the defense while endeavoring to get the non-witaess to ¡gg!
for a second time, what she had already admitted "a couple of months" previously to
RAKOFSI(Y, Grigsby (i.e. the "2 lawyers" referred to in the email) and the client's
mother, and not with respect to anything concerning the substance of her statements.
Although BEAIYs assignment tvas never to get that non-wiûress to change anything she
had already admitted (to the "2 lawyers" and the client's mother), but, rather, to get that
non-witness to repeat what she had already admitted (to the "2 lawyers" and the client's
mother): she (a) was not present during the shooting and therefore, did not wiûress the
shooting, (b) was not being compensated with money by the Government (unlike other
shooting. BEAN submitted in his "motion" (and thereby lied to the Court) that
RAKOFSI(Y instructed him to "hick a witness rnto changing her testimont''(emphasis
accomplished the very same tasks previously assigned to BEAII quickly, without ever
being required to engage in trickery; despite BEAII's duplicitous and patentþ false
allegations, there are now 5 individuals who will affirm that the non-witness merely
repeated statements (to the subsequent investigator) that she had already admitted "a
couple of months" earlier to the "2 larilyers" and the client's mother: 1) non-witness, 2)
'\loucher," paid from funds advanced under the Criminal Justice Act, which would not
have been available to BEAN or any other provider of services in the case but for the
31
efforts of RAKOX'SKY. At the time RAKOFSI(Y made his client's application to be
approved for Criminal Justice Act firnds, Judge Leibovitz asked RAKOF'SKY whether,
specified in the application, he was also requesting that his client be approved for
vouchers to compensate RLF and Grigsby who was not yet affiliated with RLF, the
compensation of the defendant's lawyers being an acceptable purpose for the Criminal
Justice Act vouchers (yet RAKOFSI(Y declined on the record in open court Criminal
and RLF with the baseless allegations contained in his 'lnotion," which he
communicated in writing (in emails) and orallyto RÄKOF'SI(Y.
123. Knowing fi¡lI well that BEAN would attempt to desfoy RAKOFSI(Y's
16,2}ll,2 weeks before BEAN frled his "motion," RAKOFSI(Y wrote in an email to
BEAI\I: "You repeatedty lied to us and did absolutely no work for us..- file what you
124. Even though it was not RAKOFSI(Y's money with which any of the
voucher to BEAIrI for the full amount of money BEAN demanded (despite many emails
and RLF") primarily because BEAII refused to make any attempt to begin the work
for a lesser amount of money (even though BEAìI's claim to any "compensation" was
32
specious and amounted to a "shake down"); however, BEAI\{ preferred to engage in his
threats to obtain even more money than RAKOFSKY was willing to authorize, and
ultimatel¡ sought both to deceive the Court and to extort money to which he was not
125. All RAKOFSI(Y had to do to avoid controversy with BEAIII was to give
RLF, 2) misused a pleading to offer false statements to the court by stating (in his
"motion') "Mr. Rakoßþ instruct[ed] him to try to 'trick' a wiûress into changing her
testimony'' and 3) violated the client's constitutional rights by providing confidential and
privileged material conceming defense strategy and tactics to the oourt. Consequently,
BEAI\ has been suspended by the agency that govems investigators working on criminal
cases.
128. rWhen the defendant offered to show Judge Jackson his legal pad and
thereby, prove to Judge Jackson that RÄKOFSI(Y refi¡sed to ask questions the client
wrote on his legal pad, Judge Jackson stated to him: "Well, I shouldn't look atthose notes
because those are personal and confidential notes between you and your lawyer and I
shouldn't be seeing those..." However, not long after Judge Jackson stated this to
RAKOFSI(Y's clien! for reasons unknown to RÄKOFSI(Y, Judge Jackson gave the
AUSA a copy of the email written by RAKOFSICY (which was attached to the
"motion") in which RAKOFSKY had set forth his defense strategy, notwithstanding
33
counsel for the Government to the possible detriment of the defendant (and any attorney
Judge Jackson: I don't know what to do with it. I don't know whether you should
see it or not.
The "motion" had merely been provided to Judge Leibovitz who provided it to Judge
Jackson, but had not been formally filed in the case against the defendant.
Judge Jackson: There's an email from you to the investigator that you may want
to look at, Mr. Rakofsþ. It raises ethical issues. That's my only
copy'
Judge Jackson: It was delivered to Judge Leibovitz this morning. She sent it over
to me because this case was originally Judge Leibovitz's.
129. The WASIIINGTON POST and the other defendants named herein have
unfortunate shorthand word ('tricld'), jt is clear from any reading of the email in which
the word was used that what RAKOF'SKY was asking BEAI\ to do was merely to get a
34
lawyers") and the client's mother, rather than to change anything she had previously
RAKOFSI(Y in the hallwa¡ asked him whether "Judge Jackson's allegation about the
investigator" was true and informed him that he would be reporting about "Judge
respect for RÄKOFSI(Y's wish not to give a comment. ALEXAI'{DER replied in sum
or substance, "I'm going to make sure you regret your decision; just wait until everyone
with malice and hate, in a grossly inesponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, having been alerted to the allegation made by
2011, upon information and beliet obtained a copy of the "investigator's" "motion" but
intentionally and in reckless disregard for the truth misrepresented and misquoted the
misquotations available for the entire world to read, despite the fact that its action in so
35
doing was in reckless disregard for the truth and wholly failed to qualiff as being fair and
rights and reputation and were in reckless disregard for the truth.
133. Judge Jackson and the WASHINGTON POST failed to inquire about
what actually occurred between RAKOFSI(Y and RLF and BEAN (the so-called
"investigator') because they refused to reasonably investigate the facts to leam the truth.
Judge Jackson refused to speak with RAKOFSI(Y in private conceming the "motion'
and instead involved the AUSA who is prosecuting the case against Dontrell Deaner,
RAKOF'SI(Y's former client, when BEAIt's allegation clearly did not concern her and
she should not have been so involved, by intentionally providing her with a copy of a
time) which discussed legal strategy and tactics of his former client - if there \ilere ever
any doubt as to whether Judge Jackson was operating completely outside the scope of his
judicial duties and function, as a result of this intentional act there can no longer be any
moment to inquire, which they did not, and to review RAKOFSKY's email that was
attached to the "investigator's" "motion," they would have been able to instantþ
determine that the "investigator's" claim was false and was not in fact, what
RAKOFSKY actually wrote. Each of them failed to do this and failed to make even the
36
slightest reasonable investigation before making their respective publications and thus,
135. Indeed, Judge Jackson possessed the "investigator's" '1notion" in his own
hands, and therefore, was already in possession of the proof and need not have done
anything in order to leam the truth other than to read RAKOFSI(Y's email that the
"investigator" improperly and unlawfirlly attached with his "motion," and the
IVASHINGTON POST, ALEXAI\DER and JENKINS each had access to that email.
intentionally or recklessly ignored RAKOFSI(Y's email and published on the record that
RAKOFSKY and RLF had engaged in behavior that "raises ethical issues," knowing
full well what such an allegation, if made, as it was, in reckless disregard for the truth,
JENKINS, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards
reckless disregard for the truth, undertook to defame, slander, libel and malign
Court judge declares mistrial over attorney's competence in murder case," when they
knew full well or should have known tha! the only judiciat action taken by Judge Jackson
in open court on April 1, 2011 was to grant RAKOFSKY's motion to be relieved as lead
counsel for the defendant because RAKOF'SI(Y and the defendant had agreed that there
was a conflict between them and and because RAKOFSKY had asked to be permitted to
incompeten! which he was not, which Judge Jackson never deterrrined or said.
37
138. WASHINGTON POST, through ALEXAI\IDER and JEI\KINS, in a
grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information
disregard for the truth, undertook to defame and malign RAKOFSKY and RLF by
maliciously publishing that Judge Jackson "allowed the defendant to fne his New York-
based attomey." However, the record is clear that RÄKOX'SKY moved for leave to
withdraw as lead counsel for the defendant, and was so permitted by Judge Jackson due
to the oonflict between him and the defendant and that Judge Jackson granted
RAKOFSKY's motion to withdraw. RAKOFSI(Y was not "ftred" by his client, who,
merely agreed to RÄKOFSI(Y's withdrawal when asked by Judge Jackson and who,
during the course of the trial, had twice insisted upon retaining RAKOFSI(Y when asked
by Judge Jackson.
a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information
disregard for the truth, undertook to defame and malign RAKOFSKY and RLF by
intentionally and maliciously publishing the contents of an email alleged to have been
JENKINS, published in their article that the alleged email stated, "Thank you for your
help. Please trick the old lady to say that she did not see the shooting or provide
information to the lawyers about the shooting." Horilever, no such email was ever written
38
140. On April 8, 2011, RAKOFSI(Y wrote to WASHINGTON POST,
through ALEXAI\DER: "Do not use my n¿rme at all unless you are willing to print a
maliciously and frlled with hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due
consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily
published in an article entitled "'Woman Pays $7,700 to Grandson's Attorney Who Was
Later Removed for Inexperience," that RAKOFSKY was "removed for inexperience."
However, the record is clea¡ that RAKOFSKY moved to withdraw as lead counsel for
his client and was pennitted to withdraw because a conflict existed between him and his
client, as his client confirmed in a sidebar conference with Judge Jackson. Judge Jackson
granted RAKOFSKY's motion to withdraw, and RÄKOF'SI(Y was never "removed for
inexperience."
142. On April 4,2011, CITY PAPER, through SMITH, with malice and hate,
reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article that: 'iA. Friday hearing fell apart
investigator filed a motion accusing the lawyer of encouraging him to 'trick' a 'tritness."
However, the record is clear that RAKOFSKY moved to withdraw as lead counsel for
his client because a conflict existed between him and his client and that Judge Jackson
39
granted RAKOFSKY's motion to be relieved as lead counsel for the defendant and that
Judge Jackson never "declared a mistrial," even in part, because "Rakofsþ's investigator
143. On April 4,20LL,MEDIA, through ATL and MYSTAL, with malice and
hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of
reckless disregard for the truth, published an article entitled: "Msûial After Judge Is
6l\stonishecl'
ByTouro Gmd's krcompetence." Hotvever, the record is clear that RÄKOFSKY
moved the court to be permitted to withdraw as lead counsel for his client because a
conflict existed between him and his client and Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's
motion and a mistrial based solely upon RÄKOFSKY's motion to withdraw as counsel
because a conflict existed between him and his client. However, a mistrial rilas never
144. On April 4, 201L, ABAb through ABA JOURNAL and WEISS, with
malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published an article in which they stated that:
"The judge declared a mistrial after reviewing a court filing in which an investigator had
claimed Rakofsþ fired him for refusing to cary out the lawyer's emailed suggestion to
'trick' a witness, the story says. Rakofsþ's suggestion allegedly read: 'Thank you for
your help. Please trick the old lady to say that she did not see the shooting or provide
information to the lawyers about the shooting."'Horilever, the ABA article, which was
40
members was and is a complete fabrication that is factually untrue in all respects. Judge
Jackson never declared a mishial that was based, either in whole or in part, upon the
"investigator's" "motion," which \ryas never formally filed with the Court. Rather, the
record is clear that RÄKOFSKY moved to withdraw as lead counsel for the defendant
because a conflict existed between him and his client and that the only action taken by
lead counsel for the defendant for reasons entirely unrelated to any claims of the
"investigator" referred to by the ABA and its employees. At no time did Judge Jackson
grant a mistuial after reviewing any *'court filing in which an investigator had claimed
Rakofsþ fired him for refusing to carry out the lawyer's emailed suggestion to 'trick' a
145. On April 8,2011, ABA, through ABA JOURNAL and RANIDAG, with
malice and hate, in a grossly iresponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the trutl¡ published in their article, "Atound the
Blawgosphere: Joseph Rakofsþ Sound Off; Client Poachers; and the End of Blawg
Review?" that "If anything had the legal blogosphere going this week, it was Joseph
Rakofsky, a relatively recent law grad whose poor trial performance as defense counsel in
a murder hial prompted the judge to declare a mistrial last Friday." However, the record
is clear that RÄKOFSKY moved to withdraw as lead counsel for his client and was so
permitted, and that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely because
RAKOFSI(Y moved for his own withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and
4t
his client. fudge Jackson never granted a mistrial based upon RAKOFSKY's trial
146. On April 3,2011, SHINGLE, through ELEFAIIT, with malice and hate,
reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article, "From tiny ethics mishaps, do
major missteps grow?" that "Joseph Rakofsþ of The Rakofsþ Law Firm...was
dismissed by a Superior Court judge for a performance that the judge described as "below
what any reasonable person would expect in a murder trial." However, the record is clear
that RAKOFSI(Y moved to withdraw as lead counsel and that Judge Jackson granted
RAKOESI(Y's motion solely because RAKOFSI(Y moved for his own withdrawal
because a conflict existed between him and his client, and never granted a mishial,
whether based upon RAKOFSKY's 'þerformance" or any "ethics mishap," which did
not exist.
and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner withôut due consideration for the standards of
reckless disregard for the truth, published ttrat "[Rakofsþ] lists other lawyers on his
website, holding them out as members, though that wasn't the case for Grigsby."
RAKOFSI(Y and Grigsby entered into a partnership engaged in the practice of law;
42
148. OnApril 4,2011, KRÄVET and SIMPLE, through GREENFIELD,
with malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible mailler without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled "The Trutlt
Free Zone Eats One Oflts Own" that "As the Washington Post notes, it proved to be
sufEcient [for RAKOFSKY] to gain that peculiar result, a mistrial for ineffective
withdraw as lead counsel for the defendant and that Judge Jackson granted
RAKOFSKY's motion because a conflict existed between him and his client and that a
with malice and hate, in a grossly inesponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled "The Tnúh
Free Zone Eats One Oflts OwIl" that "To put it another way, the judge not only found
Rakofsþ too incompetent to handle the case, but too dishonest." However, the reoord is
clear that RAKOFSICY moved to withdraw as lead counsel and was so permitted and
that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely because a conflict existed
between him and his client, and not because Judge Jackson found RÄKOFSI(Y to be
either "too incompetent to handle the case" or'too dishonest," much less both, as
43
150. On April 4,2011, KRAVET and SIMPLE, through GREENFIELD,
with malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the
*The
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled Tn¡ttr
Free Zone Eats One Oflts OwrL" that "no one should be surprised that Rakoßþ's
RAKOFSI(Y never "lied" on the internet and his character is not a reflection of "lies," as
with malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled "The Tnfh
Free Zone Eats One Oflts Otryn " that "It's not to suggest that every young lawyer is as
incompetent or dishonest as Joseph Rakofsþ. Few are quite this bad. But many lie about
themselves just as this mutt did." However, RAKOFSKY has never been determined to
be, and is not, either incompetent or dishonest as KRAVET and SIMPLE and
fi¡rther maliciously states: 'You aren't willing to pay the price that Joseph Rakofsþ is
now going to pay. The internet will not be kind to Rakofsþ, nor should it. If all works as
it should, no client will ever hire Rakofsky again. Good for clients. Not so much for
Rakofsþ, but few will cry about Rakofsþ's career suicide." In that statement KRAVET
and SIMPLE, through GREEI\FIELI), recognizes the exhaordinary damage that has
44
been done to RAKOFSKY's career, yet erroneously and maliciously publishes such
other publishers similarly situated, including but not necessarily limited to, the
further recognizes the extaordinary damage that has been done to RAKOFSKY's career
by such publishers by publishing, "think about Joseph Rakoßþ. And know that if you do
what he did, I will be happy to make sure that people know about it. There are probably a
'What
few others who will do so as well. do you plan to do aboutthose loans when your
career is destroyed?"
153. On April 4,2011, N'IAYER LAIV, through MAYE& with malice and
hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of
reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled, "Lying Piece of $%^&.
With Screenshot as Evidence" that "the misfrial was because of Rakofsþ's blatant
ineptitude." Hotvever, the record is clear that R {KOF'SI(Y moved to withdraw as lead
counsel and was so permitted., and that Judge Jackson granted RÁ.KOFSI(Y's motion
because a conflict existed between him and his client, and never granted a mishial
154. On April 2,2011, GHH, through GAMSO, with malice and hate, in a
grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information
disregard for the truth, published: "Even the Judge Couldn't Take It" referring to
45
RAKOFSI(Y's representation of the client. Further, GHII, through GAMSO,
However, the record is clear that RAKOF'SKY moved to withdraw as lead counsel and
was so permitted and that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely because
RAKOFSI(Y moved for his withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and his
client, and never took any action against RAKOFSKY because of his competence or
155. On April 4,2011, C & F, through JOHN DOE #1, with malice and hate,
reckless disregard for the truth, published that, "Joseph Rakofsky's fraud and
be súspended from the practice of law?" However, the record is clear that RAKOFSI(Y
requested that he be permitted to withdraw as counsel and was so permitted, and that
Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSKY's motion solely because RAKOFSI(Y moved for
his own withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and his client, not because of
C & F's malicious allegations concerning "Joseph Rakofsþs fraud and incompetence."
156. Further, on April 4,2017, C & F, through JOHN DOE #1, with malice
and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of
reckless disregard for the truth, published that "He [Rakofs$ was so incompetent that
the trial court ordered a mistrial. In other words, the client was deprived of his
constitutional right to a fair trial due to attorney incompetence." Ho\üever, the record is
46
clear that RAKOFSI(Y requested that he be permittedto withdraw as counsel and was so
permitted and that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSKY's motion solely because a
conflict existed between him and his client and never "ordered a mistrial" because "þ]e
157. In addition, on April 4,20L1, C & F, through JOHN DOE #1, with
malice and hate, in a grossly inesponsible manner without due consideration for the
with malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in his untitled article "Around the
Blawgosphere: Joseph Rakofsþ Sound Off; Client Poachers; and the End of Blawg
Review?" that "If anfhing had the legal blogosphere going this week, it was Joseph
Rakofsþ, a relatively recent law grad whose poor tial performance as defense oounsel in
a murder trial prompted the judge to decla¡e a mistrial last Friday." However, the record
is clear that RAKOFSKY moved to withdraw as lead counsel for his client and was so
permitted, and that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely because
RAKOFSI(Y moved for his own withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and
his client. Judge Jackson never granted a mistrial based upon RAKOFSI(Y's trial
159. On April 2,2011, FARAJI LAW, through X'ARAJf, with malice and
hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of
47
information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties, in
reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled "Choose Your Criminal
Attorney Wisely," that "The attorney did such a poor job that Judge William Jackson,
who was overhearing the case, ordered a mistrial and allowed Mr. Deaner to fire his
attomey." However, the record is clear that RAKOFSI(Y requested that he be permitted
to withdraw as lead counsel for the defendant and was so permitted, and that Judge
Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely because RAKOFSICY moved for his own
withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and his client) and did not "order a
mistrial" and did not allow his client to "fire" RAKOFSKY because he "did such a poor
BEI\I\ETT, with malice and hate, in a grossly iresponsible manner without due
followed by responsible parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their
article entitled "The Object Lesson of Joseph Rakofsþ" that "Joseph Rakofsþ took on
a case that he was not competent to handle." However, the record is clear that
defendant and was so permitted and that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSKY's motion
solely because RAKOFSI(Y moved for his own withdrawal, and granted no mishial,
either in whole or in part, because "Joseph Rakofsþ took on a case that he was not
through MARK BENN.ETT , admi! "Once upon a time there rilas no such thing as bad
publicþ. With every news story online and accessible forever, that is no longer true,"
16l. On April 5,2011, SED LAW, throùgh SEDDIQ, with malice and hate, in
a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information
disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled, "A Silver Lining," that
"The story is all around the internet. It's the hot topic of the \¡veeh and it should be on the
lips of every criminal defense practicioner [sic], if not every lawyer who gives a shit
all of one whole year of experience) lied and lied and lied and lv¿ts grossly
incompetent...." Ho\üever, the record is clea¡ that RAKOFSI(Y requested that he be
permitted to withdraw as lead counsel for the defendant and was so permitted, and that
Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely because RAKOFSKY moved for
his own withdrawal as counsel because a conflict existed between him and his client and
not because RAKOFSI(Y " lied and lied and lied and was grossly incompetenf'as SED
with malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled "Tip of the
Day: Don't Mix Legat Incompetence with Social Media" that RÄKOFSI(Y "so poorly
represented his client a man charged with fi¡st degree murder that the judge
- -
declared a mistrial so that the defendant could fne the guy." However, the record is clear
that RAKOFSKY requested that he be permitted to withdraw as lead counsel for the
49
defendant and was so permiffed and that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion
solely because RAKOFSKY moved for his own withdrawal, and granted no mistrial,
either in whole or in part, because RÄKOFSI(Y "so poorly represented his client or "so
with malice and hate, in a grossly iresponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled "Tip of the
Day: Don't Mix Legal Incompetence with Social Media" that "The lawyer not only failed
to secure a grasp on basic legal procedure prior to taking on his first criminal trial, he
actually asked his investigator to trick a witness into testifing in court that she hadn't
seen the defendant at the murder scene." Had TIIT] DAILY and ADVANTAGE, through
SPERRY read the "motion" submitted by BEAN, which wru¡ never filed with the Court,
164. On April 2,2011, ALLBRITTON, through TBD, with malice and hate, in
a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information
disregard for the truth, published: "Joseph Rakofsþ, lawyer, declared incompetent in
D.C. murder mistrial." However, the record is clear that RAKOFSKY requested that he
be permitted to withdraw as counsel and was so permitted and that Judge Jackson granted
RAKOFSKY's motion solely because RAKOFSKY moved for his own withdrawal
because a conflict existed between him and his client, and not because RAKOFSKY was
50
165. On April 7,2DLI,RDTTL, through J-DOG, with malice and hate, in a
grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of inforrnation
disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled "Joseph Rakofsþ: Both an Idiot
and was so permitte4 and that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion and a
misfrial was granted solely because RAKOFSI(Y moved for his own withdrawal
because a conflict existed between him and his client, and that RAKOFSKY was neither
166. In addition, on April 7,2071, RDTTL, through J-DOG, with malice and
hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of
reckless disregard for the truth, published: "Is Joseph Rakofsþ an idiot? Absolutely. Let
us count the ways." Further, RDTTL, through J-DOG, maliciously published that
"Rakofsþ may not have even been aware that he was peddling an inferior product."
However, RAKOFSI(Y and RLF did not and does not offer their clients "an inferior
producf' and that a review of their representation of this client shows that they did not do
167. Further, on April 13,2011, RDTTL, through J-DOG, with malice and
hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of
reckless disregard for th.e truth, published in his article entitled "Update on Rakofsþ
through J-DOG, maliciously published "As I've said before Rakofsþ is an idiot worthy
of blame." However, the record is clear that RÄKOFSI(Y requested that he be permitted
to withdraw as counsel and was so permitted, and that Judge Jackson granted
RAKOFSI(Y's motion and a mistrial was granted solely because RAKOFSKY moved
for his own withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and his client, and that
representations to clients to get them to hire a desperate souP' and did not do so with
168. On April 9,2011, HT'.5¡,¡,p, through BEAII, with malice and hate, in a
grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information
disregard for the trutlu published to }VASIIINGTON POST and was ultimately further
Grandson's Attorney Who Was Later Removed for Inexperience" that "He wanted me to
persuade this lady to say she didn't see what she said she saw or heard." However, for the
RAKOFSI(Y requested that BEANI get the "lady," who was a non-witness, to repeat
what she had already stated to RAKOFSKY and Grigsby and not to persuade her to do
or say anything different from what she had already stated to RAKOFSI(Y, Grigsby and
ttre client's mother several months before BEAN was ever hired.
and hate, in a vindictive and grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for
52
responsible parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled,
refused to pay the investigator when the investigator failed to comply." However,
KOEHLER LAW and KOEIILER would have known had they read the email atiached
malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the
entitled, "Inexperienced Lawyer Dismissed in D.C. Murder Trial" that "it was in fact
disagreements between the two lawyers during the trial that led the defendant to ask for
nerv counsel." However, the record is clear that RÄKOFSI(Y requested that he be
permitted to withdraw as counsel and was so permitted, and that Judge lackson granted
RAKOFSKY's motion solely because RAKOFSI(Y moved for his own withdrawal
because a conflict existed between him and his client, and not because there were
"disagreements between the two lawyers during the trial that led the defendant to ask for
and hate, in a vindictive and grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for
53
responsible parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled
on the predilections ofthe person assigning the label. rü/as it hubris for thinking he oould
effectively represent the defendant on a first-degree murder case despite the lack of any
'Was
experience whatsoever? it false advertising on the Internet? Or was it in-person
misrepresentation of his qualifications to the family of the accused? As it tr¡rns out, it was
all ofthe above. And more." Hovrever, RAKOFSI(Y did not "lack any experience
misrepresentation of his qualifications," rilith respect to the defendant in the case before
Judge Jackson (or any other case) as KOEHLER LAW, through KOEITI.ER,
maliciously and vindictively alleged and published with no basis in fabt for their
allegations. RAKOFSICY fitlly disclosed his lack of prior tial experience to his client
172. On April 5,2011, TLF, through TIIRKEWITZ, with malice and hate, in
a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of information
disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled, "Lawyers and Advertising (The
New Frontier)" that "Ethics also comes into play with deception, as evidenced by
one Joseph Rakofsþ, a New York lawyer with scant experience, but whose website sung
his praises in oh so many ways. Then he got a real client. Defending a murder case.
Which of course, he was utterly incompetent to do...." However, the record is clear that
RAKOFSI(Y moved the court to be permitted to withdraw as lead counsel for his client
because a conflict existed between him and his client and Judge Jackson granted
4
RAKOFSI(Y's motion and a mistrial based solely upon RAKOFSKY's motion to
withdraw as lead counsel because a conflict existed between him and his client. However,
experience to his client prior to being retained by his client to represent him.
and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of
reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled, "The Right to Counsel
Includes the Right to Fire Your Lawyer" that "In short, a judge declared a mistial in a
murder trial because the defendant's lawyer, who had never tried a case before, didn't
understand the rules of evidence and was caught instructing his private investigator to
"trick" one of the government's witlesses." However, the record is clear that
permitted and that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSKY's motion and granted a mistuial
solely because RAKOFSKY moved for his own withdrawal because a conflict existed
between him and his client, and not because RAKOFSI(Y "didn't understand the rules of
KEI\IYERLY would have known had they read the email RAKOFSKY sent to the
"investigator"; nor was the "investigator's" claim the basis for any decla¡ation of a
with malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the
55
standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published, "A lawyer who has never tried a
case should not start with an unsupervised felony trial, much less a murder frial. There's
no gray area here...." Horilever¡ RAKOFSKY did not start with an unsupervised felony
retained and entered into a parhrership with Sherlock Grigsb¡ Esq. a member of the
homicide cases. Therefore, RAKOF'SKY could not be faulted for any faihne of
supervision by Grigsby.
malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled, "Ate You a
Legal Expert? Reallt''that "Many have heard about the recent mistrial in the Donfrell
Deaner D.C. murder trial due to the egregious incompetence of Deaner's nolv former
criminal defense lawyer, Joseph Rakofsþ." However, the record is clea¡ that
permitted and that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely because
RÄKOFSI(Y moved for his own withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and
his client, and that Judge Jackson did not grant a mistrial, whether in whole or in part,
and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of
6
information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties, in
reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled, "Attomey's
Astonishing Procedure Results in Mistrial," that "A D.C Superior Court judge declared a
mistrial in a murder case allowing the defendant, Dontrell Deaner, to fire his current
criminal defense lawyer because of his lack of knowledge of the proper trial procedure."
withdraw as lead counsel for the defendant and was so permitted, and thæ Judge Jackson
granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely because RAKOFSI(Y moved for his own
withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and his client, and Judge Jackson did
not grant a mistrial, either in whole or in part, because of any "lack of knowledge of the
proper trial procedure" on the part of RAKOFSKY or his co-counsel, Grigsby, as both
with malice and hate, vindictively and in a grossly inesponsible manner without due
followed by responsible parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published "Why
someone who admittedly has never tried a case before would take on a murder case was
astonishing to not only the judge but the jury and defendant as well." However, the
record is clear that the defendant was not "astonished" that RAKOFSI(Y had "never
tried a case before [but] would take on a murder case." RAKOFSI(Y fully disclosed his
lack of prior trial experience to his client prior to being retained by his client to represent
him.
malice and hate, vindictively and in a grossly irresponsible manner without due
57
consideration for the standards of information gathering and dissemination ordinarily
followed by responsible parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published "To top it
ofi an investigator who had been hired by Rakofsþ came forward about a request that
Rakofsþ had given him to "triclc' a witress. However, had PALMTERT LAW and
PALMTERT read the "motion" submitted by BEAN, they would have seen that
RAKOFSI(Y's email attached to the "motion." Instead, for the purpose of damaging
RÄKOF'SI(Y and RLF, BEAN knowingly omitted in his publication that RÄKOFSKY
requested that BEAN get the "lady," who was a non-witness, to repeat what she had
already stated to RAKOFSI(Y, Grigsby and the client's mother and not to persuade her
to do or say anything different from what she had already stated to RÄKOFSI(Y and
with malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled "The Future
Of Law: Better, Faster, Cheaper - Pick Which One You Want," that RAKOFSI(Y
"solicited himself for the case." However, RAKOFSKY never "solicited himself for the
case." Further, RÄKOFSKY fully disclosed his lack of prior trial experience to his client
malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without dtie consideratìon for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled, "Blather.
58
Wince. Repeat. (Mutterings on Marketing)" that "Rakofsþ's performance for the
defense, including an opening statement to the jury in which he conceded that he was
trying his first case (or at least his first murder case), so dismayed the trial judge that the
court declared a mistrial on the spot on the ground that the defendant was receiving
patentþ inadequate representation. That would have been tuouble enough, but Mr.
Rakoßþ had touted the mistrial as a positive outcome on Facebook, saying nothing of
his own poor performance as the cause." However, the record is clear that RAKOFSKY
requested that he be permitted to withdraw as counsel and was so permitted, and that
Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSKY's motion solely because RAKOFSI(Y moved for
his own withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and his client not because
RAKOFSI(Y's performance "so dismayed the trial judge that the court declared a
mistrial on the spot," which Judge Jackson never did, as both IVALLACD BROWI\I and
WALLACE maliciously published. Nor was the mistial granted "on the ground that the
\ryALLACE's publication that RAKOFSKY's "o\iln poor performance [w]as the cause"
malice and hate, vindictively and in a grossly irresponsible manner without due
because he messed it up and had, it appears, no business taking it on. But it is clear from
his now-absent website that he had convinced himself that it was acceptable to believe, or
59
not to care about, his own hlperbole, and that he confused claiming to be a thing (a well-
qualified criminal defense attorney) with actually being it." RAKOFSI(Y retained co-
counsel, Grigsby, with whom he formed a partnership, who had considerable experience
in the tial of criminal cases, including homicide cases. However, RÄKOFSKY did not
"mess up" a murder defense and did not "confr¡se claiming to be...a well-qualified
182. ' On April 19,2011, WELLS P.C., through WELLS, with malice and hate,
reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitle{ "It's Not Easy Being a
New Lawyer, But lt's Important" that "it became clea¡ that this was not just a story of a
young lawyer who got in over his head. This is also a story of a lawyer who blatantly
broke ethical rules and promised more than he could deliver...." Horilever, RÄKOFSKY
never "blatantþ broke ethical rules [nor] promised more than he could deliver," either
"blatantly'' or otherwise.
malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their a¡ticle entitled, "Lessons in
undertake unethical behavior and then refused to pay the investigator." However,
would have known had they read the "motion" submitted (but not formally frled) by
60
BEA¡[, as BEA¡I attached to it a copy of RÄKOF'SI(Y's email. Further, RAKOF'SKY
had no obligation to pay the investigator, given that he never provided any servicgs.
malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible mailrer without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled, "Young and
Unethical," that "Washington D.C. Superior Court Judge William Jackson declared a
mishial in a murder case on Friday after throwing defense attomey Joseph Rakofsþ, 33,
offthe case for inexperience." However, the record is clear that RAKOF'SKY requested
that he be permitted to withdraw as lead counsel and was so permitted, and that Judge
Jackson granted RAKOFSKY's motion, solely because RAKOFSICY moved for his
own withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and his client and
TARRANT 84, with malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due
article entitled, "Ho\r¡ to Pay for a Lawyer,by t84," that "The judge declared a mishial
because he was so bad -- something that never ever happens." However, the record is
clear that RAKOFSI(Y requested that he be permitted to withdraw as lead counsel for
the defendant and was so permitted, and that Judge Jackson granted RÀKOFSKY's
motion solely because RAKOFSI(Y moved for his own withdrawal because a conflict
existed between him and his client, and Judge Jackson did not grant a mistrial, either in
61
whole or in par! because RAKOFSI(Y was "so ba4," something that, whether it "never
ever happens" did not occur in the case referred to in their article.
and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of
reckless disregard for the truth, published that "Recent Law Grad's Incompetence Leads
to Mstrial." However, there was no mistrial, either in whole or in part for incompetence
on the part of RAI(OFSKY, the "recent law grad" referred to in their publication.
with malice and hate, in a grossly inesponsible manner without due consideration forthe
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled, "D.C.'s
Lawyer's Inexperience Obvious; Judge Declares Mistrial" that "Rakofsþ described his
inexperience to the jury, sayng that'he had never tried a case before". This behavior, as
well as other tell-tale signs of inexperience led the judge on this case to decla¡e a mistial.
Another disquieting fact is that Rakoßþ fired an investigator for refusing to get a
witness to lie about the crime in question. Talk about a breach of ethics. The Defendant in
this case suffers the most, as his right to a fair trial is compromised by Rakofsþ's lack of,
experience and his behavior. However, the record is clea¡ that RAKOFSI(Y requested
that he be permitted to withdraw as lead counsel for the defendant and was so permitted,
moved for his own withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and his client, and
Judge Jackson did not grant amisüial, either in whole or in part, because of "Rakofsþ's
62
188. OnApril 13,2011, YAMPOLSKY & ASSOCIATES, through
YAMPOLSI(Y, with malice and hate, in a grossly inesponsible manner without due
followed by responsible parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their
article entitled, "I Never Tried a Case Before...But What's the Big Deal?" that "the
attorney told the investigator via an attached e-mail to 'trick' a government witness into
testiffing in court that she did not see his client at the murder scene." However, no such
email was ever written and therefore, neither YAMPOLSKY & ASSOCIATES, nor
malice and hate, in a grossly inesponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitle{ "Misûial in
Murder Case Because ofAtty Incompetence" that "A judge recently declared a mistial in
a murder case because of the defense attorney's incompetance. [src]" However, the record
is clear that RAKOFSKY requested that he be permiued to withdraw as counsel and was
so permitted, and that Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely because
RAKOFSKY moved for his own withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and
his client and that no mistrial \ryas ever granted by Judge Jackson, either in whole or in
part, "because of the defense attorney's incompetence, fsicf" whether the reference to the
63
190. On April 13,2011, REITER & SCHILLER, through WEAVE& with
malice andhate, in a grossly inesponsible manner without due consideration for the
parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published in their article entitled,
"Competence" that "The final straw for Judge Jackson was a filing he received on Friday,
April I from an investigator hired by Rakofsk¡ who Rakofsþ later fned and refused to
pay when the investigator failed to carry out his request to "trick" a witness "to say that
she did not see the shooting or provide information to the lawyers about the shooting."
However, RAKOFSI(Y neither "fired" nor "refirsed to pat'' an investigator "when the
investigator failed to carry out his request to 'tuick' a witness 'to say that she did not see
RAKOFSIIY never did as REITER & SCHILLER and WEAVER would have known
had they read the email containing the alleged request to the "investigator."
WEAVE& with malice and hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due
followed by responsible parties, in reckless disregard for the truth, published "Judge
Jackson declared a mistrial and fired Rakofsþ and his local counsel that day, and will
appoint ne\¡/ counsel for Deaner." However, the record is clear that RAKOFSI(Y moved
the court to be pemritted to withdraw as counsel for his client because a conflict existed
between him and his client and Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSKY's motion solely
64
him and his client, However, Judge Jackson never "fired Rakofsþ" and never declared a
mistrial.
I92. On May 13,2011, ACCELA, through SAMUELS, with malice and hate,
reckless disregard for the truth, published "TGIS: Thank G-d lt's Schadenfreude" that
lawyer Joseph Rakofsþ...." Ho\ryever, the record is clea¡ that RÄKOFSI(Y requested
that he be permiued to withdraw as counsel and was so permitted, and that Judge Jackson
granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely because RAKOFSKY moved for his own
withdrawal because a conflict existed between him and his client and that no mistrial was
was "infamously-incompetent." Further, this malicious publication and offensive act was
perpetrated after the Complaint, which alleged defamatior¡ was already filed, making
193. On May 12,2011, BURIIEY LAW, through BURI\'EY, with malice and
hate, in a grossly irresponsible manner without due consideration for the standards of
information gathering and dissemination ordinarily followed by responsible parties, in
reckless disregard for the truth, published'Teeling Left Ou!" in which BIIRNEY
exPresses disappointment for not having been named as a defendant in the Complaint
alleging defamation originally filed herein and praises the commission of defamation.
They state that "You've probably heard, by now, of this Joseph Rakofsþ kid. You know
the one ...whose performance was so bad that the judge had to declare a mistrial."
65
However, the record is clear that RAKOFSKY moved the court to be permitted to
withdraw as counsel for his client because a conflict existed between him and his client
and Judge Jackson granted RAKOFSI(Y's motion solely upon RAKOFSI(Y,s motion
to withdraw as counsel because a conflict existed between him and his client and not
because "[RÁKoFSr(Y's] performance \ryas so bad that the judge had to declare a
mistrial."
praises the commission of defamation and published "[B]eing on that complaint is going
to be something of a badge of pride. And we're not there. Dammit. Maybe he'll amend
his complaint to include us now, or maybe one of the defendants can do one of those...
uh, civil procedure thingies... where you bring someone else into a case? Whatever."
bringing the legal profession into disrepute. Further, this malicious publication and
offensive act was perpetrated after the complaint was already filed, making such
with the same force and effect as though set forth at length herein.
CITY PAPER' SMITH' MEDIA' ATL, MYSTAL, AB^4, ABA JOT]RNAL, WEISS,
66
RAI\DAG, SHINGLE, ELEI'AIIT, KRAVET, SIMPLE, BLOG SIMPLE,
BEI\IYETT & BENNETT, IVIARK BEN¡IETT, SED LAW, SEDDIQ, THE DAILY,
then purposely defamed RAKOX'SI(Y and RLF to achieve such an end, demonstrating a
patent ethical violation by bringing the legal profession into disrepute. BUR¡IEy LA\ry,
through BURNEY, published "You've probably heard, by now, of this Joseph Rakoßþ
67
kid. You know the one ...whose perfornance vùas so bad that the judge had to declare a
mistrial." Necessarily, this maliciéul and defamatory statement was published after
RAKOI'SKY and RLF filed their Complaint, which clearly provided the facts
concerning Dontrell Deaner's trial, yet such facts were purposely ignored and BURNIEY
suffer severe and debilitating emotional rnjury and anguish, thereby making BIIRNEY
LA\M and BIIRNEY actors in the intentional infliction of emotional distress upon
RAKOT'SKY.
Thank G-d It's Schadenfreude" that "This week's joy in the misfortune of others comes
and defamatory statement was published after RAKOFSICY and RLF'filed their
Complaint which clearly provided the facts conceming Dontrell Deaner's trial, yet such
facts were purposely ignored and their article was specifically published to cause
RAKOFSI(Y to suffer severe and debilitating emotional rqiury and anguish, thereby
200. On May 10, 2011, MEDIA and ATL, through MYSTAL, published in
"Lawyer of the Month: April Reader Poll" that "[RAKOFSIff] litigated a case to a
mistrial because of his own incompetence, according to a judge." Because of this, 219
votes were cast by MEDIA's and ATL's readers in favor of RAKOF'SI(Y becoming
"Lawyer ofthe Month," thereby prevailing over the competition with 59%. This clearly
reveals their intent to damage RAKOFSI(Y and RLF and thereby, inflict both emotional
68
and eeonomic harrn. Further, that IVEDIA and ATL, through MYSTAÞ, sontinued to
maliciously publish articles defaming RAKOF'SI(Y long after the Dontell Deaner's trial
failed to be "news worthy" evidences their sole intent to inflict emotional harm upon
RAKOFSI(Y.
"MySHINGLE's Been Sued in Rakofsþ v. the Internef'that "I stand by everything I've
written on the matter and I have a longstanding policy of not taking down blog posts... I
will continue to write posts sharing my opinion." Horilever, when SHINGLE, through
"Joseph Rakofsþ of The Rakofsþ Law Firm...was dismissed by a Superior Court judge
for a performance that the judge described as 'below what any reasonable person would
expect in amurder tÍial,"'she was not merely "sharing [her] opinion"; SIIINGLE,
through ELEFA¡IT, was publishing as fact statements thaÇ on May 13,2011, she knew
had been untrue as stated. Therefore, after the Complaint was already filed, by
reaffirmed untrue statements at a time when SHINGLE knew them to be injurious and
defamatory, thereby showing that they had no other purpose then to cause RAKOFSKY
and RLX'rnjury; such a declaration was made to intentionally inflict harm upon
RAKOFSI(Y and RLF and was not an "opinion." In addition, SHINGLE, through
RAKOFSICY and RLF and such link was provided to cause RAKOFSICY to suffer
severe and debilitating emotional injury and anguish, thereby making SHINGLE and
69
202. On May I3,2Oll, AWO, through I(IN€, púlished "Rakoßþ tries to
mvzzle the Blawgosphere" and states that "Here then, for your reading pleasure, are the
offending posts from the "Rakoßky T4 defendants. I'm sure I've missed some; let me
know and I will add them" andthen, after acknowledging that such posts are "offending,"
publication and of,fbnsive conduct f,¡rther defamed RAKOFSKY and RLF'and was
provided and intended to qause R.A,KOF'SI(Y to suffer severe and debilitating emotional
injury and anguish, after the Complaintwas already filed, therebymaking AWO and
AWO's and KING's act clearly demonsfrates their intention to repeat and republish
defamatory and malicious statementsthat, on May 13,2011, they knew had been untrue
as stated, thereby showing that they had no other purpose then to cause RAKOFSKY
andRLF injury.
Rakofsþ 74," whichreflects the74 defendants named inthe Complaint that "Badges of
honor come in many shapes and sizes...Now, I have mine.... It seems there may be a
litigation pafi for those of us involved. Sounds like fun. There might even be an
inflatable bouncy house. You know how it goes-any excuse for a party." MAYER
demonstrates a patent ethical violation by bringing the legal profession into disrepute. In
my analysis of a Washington Post article here. The Washington Post is also a member of
70
Apnt l, 20 I I artielq By providiftg such link, MAYER ÞAW and MAYER were stating
as fact statements that on May 13, 2011, MAYER knew had been untue as stated,
thereby showing that they had no other purpose then to cause RAKOFSKY and RLF
injury. Their act clearþ demonstrates their intention to repeat and republish defamatory
and malicious statements and was perpetrated to cause RAKOFSI(Y to suffer severe and
debilitating emotional injury and anguish, after the Complaint was aheady filed thereby
making MAYER LAW and MAYER actors in the intentional infliction of emotional
defamed RAKOFSI(Y and RLF and was provided and intended to cause RAKOFSI(Y
to suffer severe and debilitating emotional injury and anguish, after the Complaint was
already file{ thereby making KOEIILER LAW and KOEHLER actors in the
published "To My Fellow 'Rakoßþ 74'ers": I Salute You." This publication praises the
legal profession into disrepute and was provided to cause RAKOFSKY to suffer severe
and debilitating emotional injury and anguish, after the Complaint was already filed,
thereby making KOEHLER LAIY and KOEtrILER actors in the intentional infliction of
7t
206. On May 13,2011, BEI\IIETT & BENI\IETT, throughMARK
posted a link to articles written for the purpose of intentionally inflicting emotional
This publication praises the commission of defamation and demonstates a patent ethical
violation by bringing the legal profession into disrepute and was provided to cause
RAKOF'SI(Y to suffer severe and debiliøting emotional injùry and anguish, after the
Complaint was already filed, thereby making BEI\IYETT & BEI\IYETT and MARK
they knew them to be untrue shows that their sole intention was to cause harm and
(72
208. Plaintiffs repeat the allegations of paragraphs l-207, inclusive, hereof with
the same force and ef[ect as though set forth at length herein.
209. RAKOFSKY and RLF had valid business contacts with existing clients;
however, DEFE¡IDANTS interfered with their ability to satisff the terms of such
contracts and with RAKOFSI(Y's and RLF's establishment of contractual relations with
other clients.
2ll. RÄKOFSKY and RLF relied on their existing clients and their internet
existing clients and internet presence to gain new clients. For example, as previously
internet will not be kind to Rakofsþ, nor should it. If all works as it shoul{ no client will
ever hire Rakofsþ again. Good for clients. Not so much for Rakofsþ..." Further, other
well as to other websites which presumed to interfere with RAKOFSI(Y's and RLF's
73
THN CIVIL RIGIITS LAW
with the same force and effect as though set forth at length herein.
50 and 51 of the New York Civil Rights Law in that each defendant used for advertising
pufposes, or the purposes of trade, the name, porhait or picture of plaintiffa living person
the New York Civit Rights Law plaintiff may maintain this action to prevent and restrain
the use thereof and seek damages for injuries sustained by reason of such use.
RELIEF'SOUGIIT
217. Plaintiffs request that the court order and temporarily enjoin (a)
WASHINGTON POST from publishing the online versions of the defamatory
}VASIIINGTON POST April 1, 2011 and April 9, 2011 articles, along with comments
attached thereto, (b) CREATIVE and CITY PAPER from publishing the on line version
of the defamatory CREATIVE and CITY PAPER April 4, 2011 article, along with
comments attached thereto, (c) MEDIA through ATL from publishing the on line
version of the defamatory MEDIA through ATL April 4, 2011 article, along with
comments attached thereto, (d) ABA through ABA JO{IRNAL from publishing the on
line version of the defamatory ABA through ABA JOIIRNAL April4, 2011 and April 8,
74
20ll articles, along with comments attached theretq (e) SHINGL,E from publishing the
on line version of the defamatory SHINGLE April 3, 2011 article, along with comments
attached thereto, (Ð KRAVET and SIMPLE through BLOG SIMPLE from publishing
the on line version of the defamatory KRAVET and SIMPLE through BLOG SIMPLE
April 4,2011 article, along with comments attached thereto, (g) MAYER LAW from
publishing the on line version of the defamatory MAYER LA\il April 4, 2011 article,
along with comments attached thereto, (h) GmI from publishing the on line version of
the defamatory GHII April2,2011 article, along with comments attached thereto, (i) C
& F from publishing the on line version of the defamatory C & F April 4, 20lt article,
along with comments attached thereto, (i) ACCIDENT LAWYER from publishing the
with comments attached thereto, (k) FARAJI LAW from publishing the on line version
of the defamatory FARAJI LAIY April 2, 20ll article, along with comrnents attached
thereto, (l) BE¡II\-ETT & BENNETI from publishing the on line version of the
defamatory BENIYETT & BENNETT April 4, 20ll article, along with comments
attached thereto, (m) SED LAIV from publishing the on line version of the defamatory
SED LAW April 5, 2011 article, along with comments attached thereto, (n) THE
DAILY and ADVANTAGE from publishing the on line version of the defamatory THE
DAILY and ADVAITITAGE April 4,2011article, along with comments atüached thereto,
article, along with comments attached thereto, (Ð KOEHLER LAW from publishing the
on line version of the defamatory KOEHLER LAW April 2, 2011 and April 10, 2011
75
articles, along with comments attached thereto, (r) TLF from publishing the on line
version of the defamatory TLF' April l, 20ll article, along with comments attached
thereto, (s) BEASLEY F'IRM from publishing the on line version of the defamatory
BEASLEY F'IRM April 1, 20ll article, along with comments attached thereto, (t)
STEINBERG MORTON April l, 20ll article, along with comments attached thereto,
(u) PALMIERI LAW ñom publishing the on line version of the defamatory
PALMIERI LAW April 6, 2011 article, along with comments attached thereto, (v)
WALLACE BROWI\ April 10, 2011 article, along with comments attached thereto, (x)
WELLS P.C. from publishing the on line version of the defamatory WELLS P.C. April
l9,20ll article, along with comments attached thereto, (y) MCKINIIIEY LAW from
publishing ttre on line version of the defamatory MCKINI\EY LAW April 4, 20ll
article, along with comments attached thereto and (z) TIIOMSON REUTERS from
publishing the on line version of the defamatory TIIOMSON REUTERI| April 4,201I
article, along with comments attached thereto and (AA) BA¡II\ED VENTURES and
BAI\ü\U from publishing the on line versioir of the defamatory BANI\ED VENTIIRES
and BAIIINI April 23, 2011 article, along with comments attached thereto and @B) ST.
THOMAS from publishingthe on line version ofthe defamatory ST. THOMAS April6,
20ll article, along with comments attached thereto and (CC) MICHAEL T. DOIIDNA
LAW from publishing the on line version of the defamatory MICIIAEL T. DOUDNA
LAW April 8, 20Il article, along with comments attached thereto and (DD)
76
YAMPOLSKY & ASSOCIATES from publishingtheon lineversion of thedefamatory
YAMPOLSKY & ASSOCIATES April 13,20ll article, along with comments attached
thereto and @E) O'IIALLERÄN LAW from publishing the on line version of the
defamatory O'IIALLERAN LAW April 8, 2011 article, along with comments attached
thereto and (FF) REITER & SCHILLER from publishing the on line version of the
defamatory REITER & SCHILLER April l3,2ùll articlg along with comments
attached thereto and (GG) AVVO from publishing the on line version of the defamatory
AWO May 13, 2011 article, along with comments attached thereto and and (Iü!
ACCELA from publishing the on line version of the defamatory ACCELA May 13,
2011 article, along with comments attached thereto and (I! BIIRNEY LAW from
publishing the on line version of the defamatory BIIRI\EY LAIY lNf.ay 12,2011 article,
"JOHN DOE #1's,': ACCIDENT LA\ilYER's, "JOIIN DOE #2's," FARAJI LAÏV's,
77
WELLS', MCKH\IIrIEY LAW's, MCKIN¡IEY"s-, TIIOIVISOÑ_ RËgfERS',
tenible mental anguish, has been unable to sleep, has been subjected to physical pain as a
result of being unable to sleep and has been unable to participate in the majority of his
GHH's, GAMSO's, C & X"s, "JOHN DOE #1's," ACCIDENT LAWYER'5, "JOHN
8
AWO's, KING's, ACCELÄ's, SAMUELS', BURIIIY LAW's and BIIRNEY's acts,
and RLF have been dismissed by existing clients as a direct result of the aforementioned
defendants' malicious publications and have been forced to refer existing cases to other
law firms to prevent against fi¡rther damage to such clients as a result of the
suffered physical pain, mental anguish and a profoundly taumatic emotional injury at tl¡e
SAMIIELS, BURNEY LA\il and BURITIEY he has been deprived of the ability to
provide legal services. In addition, RAKOFSI(Y suffered mental anguish and pain and
79
suffering, for which, it will require physical rehabilitation and psychological treatment
for the rest of his life, to deal with the various traumas associated with his reputation
GHrr, GAMSO, C & F, ,,JOHN DOE #1,' ACCTDENT LATVYER, ,.JOHN DOE
#2,' FARAJT LAW, FARAJT, BEI\I\ETT & BEI\[\ETT, II{ARI( BEI\NETT, SEn
"JOHN DOE #2," f,'ARAJT LAW, F',ARAJT, BEI\I\ETT & BENI\ETT, MARK
80
BENNETT, SED LAW, SEDDIQ, TTIE DAILY, ADVANTAGE, SPERRY,
AWO, KING, ACCELA, SAMIIELS, BURI\EY LAIV and BIIRITIEY which has
caused his health and qualþ of life to be profoundly impaired, has lost his ability to
work in a meaningful way and to provide, for himself, the basic necessities that a humqn
WHEREFORE, the plaintiff prays judgment against the defendants jointly and
severally as follows:
B. in an amount to be determined at trial of this action and that the court assess
punitive damages, together with the costs of suit disbursements and attomey's
fees, and
C. Such other and fuither relief as to which this Court may deem proper and
applicable to award.
8l
J[]RY TRIAL DEMANDEI)
/sl
By: Joseph Rakofsky, Esq.
4400 us-9
Freeholdo NJ 07728
(877) 40t-rs29
Bar Code 03446-2009
JosephRakofsþ@ gmail. com
lsl
Richa¡d Borzouye, Esq.
BORZOtryE LAIY FrRM, P.ç.
Attornev for Plaintiffs
t+ WadSteet,20ù Floor
New Yorlç NY 10005
Qtz) 6r8-t4se
Bar Code R83461
AttorneyB o rzouy e@gmail. com
q2