Proving that anyone can sue for anything, a Florida man has filed a $150 million lawsuit against WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange, for "INTNTIONAL (sic) INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS" in releasing documents that "indangered (sic) the PLAINTIFF as well as every person of the United States; and the entire planet."
In the four-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, David Pitchford of Key West —who clearly needs to implement spell check into his life — goes on to say that he's "suffered serious personan (sic) injury" that includes a "worsening" of his "hyper tention (sic)," "depression," and "Stress" combined with living in "constant fear of being stricken by another heart attack and or stroke as a result of the foregoing" and "fear of being on the brink of Nucliar (sic) WAR."
(It actually physically hurts to repeat all those misspellings. Thanks to Cryptome for uploading the lawsuit.)
According to the document, Pitchford believes that WikiLeaks releases will cause such damage as to diminish the Medicaid benefits he depends upon for his health care because the U.S. will run out of money. He also categorizes WikiLeaks and Assange as terrorists, traitors and spies.
Pitchford claims to have done "exhaustive research" that shows WikiLeaks and Assange "have no known association with any known jourlism (sic) entity with the exception of that which is self proclaimed."
It doesn't take much Googling to find WikiLeaks' media partners: France's Le Monde, Spain's El Pais, the UK's Guardian (which shared the info with the New York Times) and Germany's Der Spiegel.
Citing Assange's recent million-dollar book deal, Pitchford "RESPECTFULLY" demands 100 million "dollors (sic)" in "compensitory (sic) damages" and $50 million (he leaves out several zeros in the document so that it looks more like $500,000) in punitive damages, as well as the cost of the legal battle. (Because you know, $150 million couldn't possibly cover the legal costs.)
He also offers a prayer at the end of the complaint, asking the court for an injunction preventing WikiLeaks "from releasing any more United States dockuments" (sic) and seizing all funds, including book advances.
Blogger Superkuh documented a surreal conversation he had with Pitchford, which includes tidbits such as Pitchford's previous suit against Osama bin Laden, his "besting Bill Clinton" in the state bar exam (something I'm finding rather hard to believe given this recent complaint he filed) and his tendency to threaten to sue when he feels he's in danger. In this case, triggered by Superkuh's phone call (Pitchford's number is on the complaint).
Has WikiLeaks had such a profound effect on you?