Benchmark Young Adult School Persists Against Internet Lies

07Nov08

Redlands, CA (November 7, 2008) – Benchmark Young Adult School announces today that its lawsuit against former student, Michael Crawford, has been dismissed due to a very short statute of limitations which applies to claims alleging damages from defamatory statements posted on the Internet.  Benchmark filed the lawsuit in response to false and derogatory statements made by Crawford on his website and on certain Internet blogs.  The lawsuit has been dismissed by way of a unique legal procedure called an “Anti-SLAPP” motion which applies in the context of lawsuits relating to the exercise of “free speech” under the First Amendment.  Benchmark intends to appeal the Court’s procedural ruling.

It is critical to note that the Court made no finding relating to the truth or falsity of any of the defamatory statements that Crawford made on his website.  Benchmark stands by its assertion that Crawford has repeatedly made false and defamatory statements regarding Benchmark’s philosophy, staff and curriculum, and Benchmark will continue to use every legal opportunity to pursue the truth.  Indeed, the evidence presented to the Court by Benchmark made it clear that the statements at issue on Crawford’s website were libelous.  If you would like to review the testimonial evidence presented to the Court by Benchmark, click here.

Jayne Selby-Longnecker, founder and owner of Benchmark Young Adult School, states, “We knew we were fighting an uphill battle regarding this matter.  Unfortunately, the First Amendment, in which I strongly believe, protects people who go around telling lies about others on the Internet.  Internet law is a relatively new frontier and it is very difficult to effectively pursue and win a case against someone who posts untruths about you or your company.  This is especially true when you may not know the substance or damaging effect of such statements until after the very short statute of limitations applicable to these claims has already run.”

Benchmark Young Adult School is a co-educational, residential, emotional growth school, dedicated to assisting troubled teens and young adults, 18-28 years of age, as they transition into independent living.

For further information regarding Benchmark Young Adult School, please visit our website at http://www.benchmarkyoungadultschool.com or contact us at 800-474-4848.

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