Lawsuit Filed Over Facebook Posts Made Concerning Saline County Sheriff’s Race

Sheriff Candidate Richard Friend filed a Defamation lawsuit yesterday in Saline County Circuit Court against two named men and five John Does to be named later.

The two named men are Rick Cross of Saline County and Kevin Cooper of Hot Springs County.

Cross is the brother-in-law of Dustin Robertson, who is Friend’s opponent in the race.

Cooper, who ran for Hot Springs County Sheriff and lost, is a strong supporter of Robertson.

The lawsuit states that in February, Cross posted statements that Friend had two Orders of Protection against him and that those statements are false.

As to Cooper, the lawsuit states that in early March he posted a video in which he stated that years back Friend dismissed misdemeanor drug marijuana charges for young college girls in exchange for sexual favors along with committing a host of other criminal acts such as corruption and abuse of authority along with professional misconduct.

The John Does are expected to be named as evidence is gathered in the case.

The lawsuit was filed on Friend’s behalf by Cornerstone Law Firm’s managing partner Jennifer Lancaster.

Before you even ask, the answer is yes….Jennifer in the founder and owner of Arkansas 1st News.

There are five counts listed in the suit –

Defamation

False Light Invasion Of Privacy

Tortious Interference With Business Expectancy

Intentional Infliction Of Emotional Distress

Civil Conspiracy

Friend is asking that he be awarded compensatory damages in amount at trial in excess of $250,000.00 and punitive damages in amount determined at trial in excess of $500,000.00.

Jennifer stated – “Elections should be decided by voters based on truth, not by the deliberate spread of misinformation designed to damage a candidate’s reputation. Arkansas law does not protect knowingly false statements of fact.”

Here is her full statement.

I have reached out to both Cross and Cooper for a statement but have not heard back from either.

On January 30^th, Cross messaged me asking that I check out his post on the Protection Orders.

I investigated his claims, which didn’t take long, and on January 31^st & February 2^nd published articles proving his claims to be 100% false.

To say that Cross didn’t appreciate me presenting the facts is an understatement.

I guess it didn’t help when I stated – “Look, either Cross is completely incompetent….dishonest….or both.”

As to Cooper’s claims I have yet to see him put forth any records to back up his statements.

Aaron Washington was a candidate in the Sheriff’s Primary race and lost.

He put out a video on March 8^th stating that the alleged incidents involving young college girls trading sex in exchange for getting out of misdemeanor charges was true and that him stating it is proof.

Washington acknowledged that the alleged incidents took place twenty years ago and, like Cooper, provided no records to back up his claims.

No offense to Washington but him stating, “I am proof” is not proof.

Now could his statement get him added as a defendant to the lawsuit ?

I guess time will tell.

At the end of the day, all three men have made statements of fact that they cannot back up.

Does that translate into Defamation and Damages ?…..Sounds like we are going to find out.

One thing we do know….Friend has a damn good attorney.

I’ll be staying on top of this case.

#FactsNotFiction

NOTE: You can view the complaint filed at caseinfo.arcourts.gov Case # 63CV-26-601

Jimmie Cavin

Professional Bully Fighter I investigate and report on issues around the State of Arkansas with an emphasis on Government. I am strong conservative however I bring Truth and Facts regardless of Party affiliation….My hashtag is #FactsNotFiction