For Immediate Release:
January 8, 2002

Orginal Media withdraws SLAPP suit against former employee after facing penalites under California’s anti-SLAPP statute

Portland, Ore: John Does Anonymous Foundation (JDAF) is pleased to announce that Original Media Corporation (OTCBB: OMDA) has dismissed with prejudice a lawsuit filed against a former employee, Deb Nyberg, after Nyberg filed a Special Motion to Strike against Original Media. Nyberg, a frequent critic of OMDA on the Raging Bull stock message board, lives in Texas, although she had been added to an amended complaint in a case filed near Palm Springs, Ca.  Nyberg alleged that the lawsuit was completely frivolous, and that no actual allegation had been stated against her. She alleged that the suit was amended to include her as a defendant, because of her willingness to testify before federal regulators and other governmental investigative bodies looking into allegations of criminal fraud relating to OMDA and its alleged related third party, Joseph Lanza. Nyberg was served a copy of the lawsuit while in Palm Springs while testifying on behalf of another defendant in that case.

Nyberg was unable to retain legal counsel in California, so she contacted JDAF’s Office For the Self-Represented to obtain forms and information on filing a special motion under CCP 425.16.  Nyberg alleged that Lanza, by way of Original Media, added her to the suit in order to harrass and intimidate Nyeberg for her revealing posts on the internet message board, and for her cooperation with government investigators.  The California anti-SLAPP statute was created by the state legislature for the express purpose of ending litigation abuse under such circumstances.

Attorneys representing OMDA withdrew the suit before the court heard Nyberg’s special motion.  Had the motion been heard by the court, Nyberg would have been entitled to enhanced attorneys fees (if any) and her bill of costs.

The OFSR is funded entirely by The Foundation, and provides paralegal services to individuals, as well as maintaing a complete library of motions forms for use in jurisdictions across the United States for use in SLAPP related actions.  The OFSR has assisted pro se defendants in Florida, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Texas, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, and California, as well as Canada and the United Kingdom.

• CONTACT: John Does Anonymous Foundation, Office For the Self-Represented
  email ofsr@johndoes.org