Suit calls North Minneapolis blog a ‘defamation zone’

I only have a thumbnail sketch understanding of what went on with JACC, so I can not comment on the accuracy of whatever statements were made regarding that issue. I would like to just say something in a general manner however about Johnny Northside. This guy has shown a passion for his community that is nothing short of amazing. The Northside is stigmatized for so many reasons; however, through following the Johnny Northside Blog, I am getting the sense that 1) People can stand up against those darker elements in their community – even in North Minneapolis and 2) The Northside is making progress. I have to say that I have been drawn to the Northside and am fascinated by it in a way that I never would have been without the Johnny Northside Blog. This guy has really stuck his neck out and created a “buzz” about change occurring Over North. The courts will handle the matter regarding this lawsuit; however, in the court of public opinion, I hope it is kept in perspective that John Hoff has routinely gone above and beyond where most others would go to rise up a community that has been so looked down upon by others. In my eyes, this guy is really amazing!

I think John Hoff is at least a little condescending in his actions. This is the same guy that wrote an opinion piece in the Minnesota Daily in 2006 about a woman who was killed while riding her bicycle:

http://www.mndaily.com/2009/02/22/time-get-real-about-bike-safety

Mr. Hoff blamed the victim stating that a cyclist would still be alive today if she had only ridden her bike on the sidewalk. The sidewalk in Stadium Village.

Matty,

I read the article, but I didn’t come to the conclusion that Hoff was saying that it was victim’s fault. Seemed to me that he was blame the U for the rule that you cannot bike on the sidewalk.

His stuff on the Adventures of Johnny Northside is more edgy

In another lawsuit filed against John Hoff by Peter Rickmyer, the judge may have declared Rickmyer a frivolous litigant, but the suit was not dismissed. John Willard Hoff is still very much a party to Rickmyer’s lawsuit.
And based on a preponderance of the evidence, even a “gadfly” like Rickmyer should be able to prove to the court that he is indeed being harassed and defamed by John Hoff.
Not only does Hoff write derogatory and defamatory comments about Rickmyer in his blog every chance he gets, but Hoff also stalks Rickmyer in the Hennepin County Government Center. In a recent post on his blog, Hoff posts a photograph of Rickmyer in the Hennepin County Law Library. Hoff boasts in his writing that HE secretly took the photograph without Rickmyer’s knowledge, posting ridiculous commentary questioning why Rickmyer is allowed to use a cell phone. And this is not the first time John Hoff or his associates have harassed Rickmyer while he does research in the law library.
In yet another recent post Hoff published victim details of a police report Rickmyer filed, including the publishing of his driver’s licence number.
One has to wonder why someone like John Hoff, who has a law degree, would knowingly flaunt his actions that clearly violate the Minnesota harassment statute.
Hoff’s blogging not only provides fodder for Rickmyer’s lawsuit, but gives Jill Clark and her client buckets of ammunition to use against Hoff in the suit she has filed.
John Hoff’s predatory behaviors have plagued his for many years, and apparently he has learned nothing from his past experiences.

Dave Timmons,

Um, no, that lawsuit was dismissed, and was dismissed on May 17, 2010 even before you made your comment. You can look it up:

http://www.mncourts.gov/PublicAccess