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rattles465 · Feb 9, 2012, 01:39 PM

What is my legal recourse (if any) or simply my best choice of actions to take to hold accountable, preferably punish and educate, and slim hope to actually stop another person who has now on several separate occasions posted public threats against me on a social media site? To include naming me by name and repetitive postings and instigating others to join in the fray. And has now also posted suggestions implying I am having an affair (I am married) and that I have a venereal disease. I am not a public figure. I have never even once responded although in one instance the site moderator deleted the comments which then caused the person to retaliate with even more in a different forum, accusing me of retaliating (for what in actuality the moderator had chosen to do). In addition, this person has been witnessed spreading outright lies about my character among several mutual acquaintances and has called me once on the phone to swear at me and try to intimidate me away from reporting evidence I had in a theft investigation. This person has a history of intimidating others that I can point to but doubt I could prove unless the victims stood up which I doubt they'd do. I have never telephoned this person. Ever. I have never posted anything on-line about this person. Ever. This has all been the result of this person being good friends with an individual I was forced to report for theft at our workplace. My standard procedure has been to ignore it but it appears even that inflames this person as the person has now upped the ante trying to elicit a response. I'd like my first and only response to be worthy of me doing it. I want this to stop and I want to hold this person accountable to some authority. Telling this person to stop it would just make the person laugh and do more. I am well aware that most law allows a dog a first bite but this person has already had several (more than a dozen) because I've not reported it yet. Reporting this as harassment if it won't result in some criminal charge or some financial gain (as opposed to loss) is a waste of time in my book, too. What's best to do?

The theft charges were dropped due to lack of interest in prosecution (not worth the court costs), not in actuality due to lack of evidence. This harassing person has in fact referenced the court case in the social media postings.

smoothy · Feb 9, 2012, 01:47 PM

What country, state and province are you located in... laws can vary greatly and any advice would have to take that into consideration.

rattles465 · Feb 9, 2012, 03:18 PM

I am in WA state

ScottGem · Feb 9, 2012, 05:37 PM

Two things to do. First report his posts to the site moderators and ask for removal. Second, if there are any threats of violence, report them to the police. Otherwise, just ignore it.

rattles465 · Feb 9, 2012, 07:14 PM

Thanks much. Good to hear my own thoughts echoed by a member I've seen on here as a voice of reason.

Can you tell me if I report the posts (its Facebook) will they be able to find out it was me who reported it? (That would then be the opposite of ignoring it if they found out it was me--although even suspecting it was me may be bad enough, or even if it's deleted due to someone else taking action I will be blamed by this crazy person... ) One of the folks who joins in swayed by this person's 'group think' instigation is a county officer of law. Can an officer get FB info beyond what the rest of us can get or am I being paranoid?

Second, I have a judge kind of involved in the theft case who is already not too happy with the perpetrator there. He recognized and chastized these folks for trying to intimidate me--they brought folks into court to charge with harassment/protection order even before learning their case wouldn't be chased for reason of expenses--actually not too smart as it allowed those of us who saw the theft to tell our story although that wasn't the case being tried. Judge stated he was upset with them for manipulating the law. This new retaliation I think is because that trick of theirs to get witnesses into trouble didn't work. I have a spotless record. Not even a speeding ticket. But is there any way I can alert this judge as to what this friend of the perpetrator has been up to since? Or is that largely non-applicable?

ScottGem · Feb 10, 2012, 04:24 AM

I don't believe so. Not sure how Facebook works, but I doubt if they would reveal that. On the other hand, who else would ask for it to be removed. So they will believe you did it no matter what. Facebook would require a court order to reveal info to 3rd parties, maybe to anyone.

Don't alert the judge, talk to the prosecutor. If I understand you, you are a witness in a criminal case of theft. Any attempts to intimidate or harass you over your testimony should be immediately reported to the prosecutor in the case. I didn't get that part initially, otherwise I would have told you that should be your first course of action. Especially since the judge is aware of previous attempts. I would be talking to the prosecutor first thing this morning.